Croft mirrors Horton on a frustrating second day.
Despite the visitors advancing to a magnificent score of 425-7, the weather continues to interrupt the fixture between Surrey and Lancashire at Guilford. Yesterrday saw two rain delays and a break for bad light and at 3 o’clock on day 2 the last of the play was seen with just 37 overs added to Lancashire’s first innings.
Ashwell Prince (34) and Steven Croft (104*) resumed day one with the intention of adding to Lancashire’s already sterling effort, but suffered an early stumble when Prince was dismissed by ex-Lancashire spinner Murali Kartik as he was caught by Zander de Bruyn for 34. Adding just 7 runs to their overnight score was not the best of starts and Surrey certainly needed an early breakthrough after taking just 3 wickets on day one.
Tom Smith has had strong success in a dissapointing Twenty20 campaign for Lancashire, but was unable to transfer this form into the longer format, in a short lived stay of just 7, when he was run out. Lancashire keeper, Gareth Cross, estbalished himself as an attacking batsmen when he joined Croftt, hitting 2 consecutive fours, but in attempt to make it three he was caught pulling to Zafar Ansari at square for 13, as Lancashire had somewhat stumbled to 298-6.
But Lancashire captain, Glen Chapple was able to assist Steven Croft nicely in an initial 50 partnership, combining his usual flamboient batting style with sensible rotation of the strike before lunch. During the morning session Croft reached his 26th first class 50 to add to his fine one day form and steer Lancashire back in the right direction as they reached 356-6.
After lunch things continued to go well for Lancashire, as they claimed four batting points inside 110 overs. The hundred partnership between Lancashire’s stand-in one day captain and full-time captain renewed faith after the loss of three quick wickets in the first session.
Dark clouds filled in overhead and the fear of rain after all of the time lost on day one tolled as both batsmen started to play more agricultural shots.
For a brief period of time it did seem to prove affective as Croft advanced to his 5th century of his first class career and his second of this LV County Championship campaign. However, Chapple was unable to replicate Croft’s attacking success as he was trapped LBW to veteran pace bowler, Jon Lewis, just four runs short of a well deserved 50. An impressive stand of 121 pulled Lancashire back into the imposing position they had aquired at the end of day one but the rain that shortly followed the fall of Lancashire’s 7th wicket would bring the proceedings of the second day to an early close.
The so-called British summer does seem to be taking its toll on this game with a result for either sides looking unlikely. With the game working its way towards a draw, the only way of escaping the misfortune caused by rain could be to forefit innings, but both teams are likely to settle for a draw with the amount of time left in the season allowing plenty of time for a run of wins.
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