Persistent rain thwarted Surrey’s hopes of establishing a stranglehold on the County Championship clash with Hampshire as play was restricted to just 102 balls on the second day at The Kia Oval. However Surrey kept a continued stranglehold on the match, after Hampshire reached 122 for 3 in reply to the home side’s formidable first-innings total of 421 despite two lengthy stoppages.
Play began in the afternoon after poor weather had wiped out much of the day, with just short of 25 overs bowled over two separate sessions. They took the field to begin their innings at 17 without loss, but batting conditions soon proved difficult for Hampshire. The batters faced a daunting challenge, with overcast skies and floodlights illuminated creating plenty of movement off the pitch.
Conditions were perfect for fast bowling and Fisher exploited them to the full, producing a match-changing spell that left Surrey in control. He first sent Toby Albert packing for 16 with a delivery that moved out sharply after pitching, uprooting the stumps. Orr, playing his first Championship game of the season, then fell to Fisher when he edged a ball that swung marginally and was touched through to Tom Curran for a simple catch.
After a shaky start, Nick Gubbins and Jake Lehmann put Hampshire back on level terms. The duo soaked up the pressure, and as conditions came in their favour progressed freely during a much better second-half. Gubbins, who has had great success at The Oval throughout his career, registered another half-century at the venue before giving the appearance of being set for a bigger score.
But Surrey struck again shortly after. Gubbins leg before wicket to Jordan Clark for a superb 51, that would be the last decent knock of the afternoon bar Jack’s late order heroics, denying the home side possibly one of their three bonus points but in no way taking away from a solid performance. The dismissal put the brakes on Hampshire just as they were looking to establish a base.
Lehmann stayed on at stumps with nightwatchman Sonny Baker as Hampshire saw off the immediate threat of further damage before close. However, the visitors still find themselves 299 behind and another 150 are required to escape the follow-on.
With the weather forecast very much more favourable for the last two days, Surrey will be confident of pushing for victory and registering just their second Championship win of the season whilst Hampshire have a mountain to climb to keep themselves in with a chance.
