KP goes nuts to bring Surrey close to Red Rose total.
After Lancashire declared on 485-7 in the morning session of day 3, Surrey had a lot of work to do in order to respond to Lancashire’s highest total of the season. Steven Croft reached a career best of 154* to surpass the efforts of opening batsmen Paul Horton (110) and accompanied by Ajmal Shahzad (12*) they added 60 to Lancashire’s overnight score of 425-7. But by the end of day 3 the home side will feel they have the momentum going into the final day after the efforts of England International Kevin Pietersen (232*) who is just 20 runs short of his career best and Zander de Bruyn (94) in a partnership worth 181.
The day started positively for Lancashire when Croft hit the first ball of the day for four and these continued to go smoothly as they passed 450 in quick time. Croft passed his previous best of 122 and soon reached 150 from 201 balls, striking 18 fours and 1 six. By which stage Lancashire had decided that they would declare on 485-7, which was an imposing total to say the least.
To add insult to injury Rory Burns was bowled by Glen Chapple off the first ball of Surrey’s reply to crush what little spirit was left after Lancashire’s batting onslaught. Zafar Ansari and Zander De Bruyn were able to quell the fears of Surrey’s demise by forming a steady partnership, which unfortunately ended 1 run short of 50. Opener Ansari edged to Tom Smith at second slip off Shahzad for 21, leaving Surrey on 49-2. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease and there was certainly a sense of excitement about his presence after the controversy of his One Day International retiremnet.
After lunch, Surrey still had a lot of work to do still trailing Lancashire by 433 runs. Zander De Bruyn and Kevin Pietersen seemingly excelled through the afternoon session as both batsmen passed 50 to take Surrey past 200 as they earned their first batting point. Pietersen’s aggresive batting style saw him pass De Bruyn and reach his 43rd first class century from 93 balls, to renew Surrey’s faith after two tough days in the field. Before De Bruyn could replicate Pietersen he was trapped LBW to Simon Kerrigan falling 6 short of his own century as Lancashire aquired their first bowling point.
Surrey keeper, Steve Davies, assisted the destructive nature of Pietersen nicely, who passed 150 to help them reach 307-3 at tea. Davies played a rather passive role in a partnership worth 72, as Pietersen continued to play a combination of fluent and flamboient shots. But when Davies attempted to replicate Pietersen he was caught behind by Gareth Cross off Smith, leaving Surrey on 302-4.
A further partnership of 89 with Jason Roy (38) saw Surrey close in on Lancashire’s score with Pietersen advancing to 200 from just 170 balls. Roy was unable to stay with Pietersen until the end of day 3 as he was caught pulling to Kerrigan at long-leg off Shahzad as Surrey reached 391-5. Between the fall of the 5th wicket and close of play, Kevin Pietersen was as ruthless as ever and with Gareth Batty (4*) Surrey added an unbeaten partnership of 39 to close on 430-5.
In a game of uncertainties, one thing is clear going into the final day of this LV County Championship fixture. Kevin Pietersen is expected to pass his career best of 254* that he aquired for Nottinghamshire versus Middlesex in 2006 and add to an already impressive boundary count that currently stand at 30 fours and 8 sixes.
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