Weather halts Bears’ charge
Warwickshire were frustrated by the weather as they sought to press for their first County Championship victory of the season, against Surrey at Edgbaston.
The third day’s play was restricted to just 22 overs after rain arrived just before lunch and never relented.
Warwickshire took their overnight score of 26 without loss to 76 for two, moving 181 ahead overall, but were then denied a chance to build a commanding lead which would give them plenty of time to try to bowl Surrey out a second time.
Bears captain Jeetan Patel will now face an interesting decision on the final day. With the pitch offering some turn, Warwickshire could still put Surrey under pressure but, with less time at their disposal, might have to give the champions’ dangerous batting line-up a target which offers a sniff of victory.
Warwickshire could be forgiven for feeling a sense of irony as the drizzle fell. Their first three championship matches, all of which they have lost, were barely touched by the weather with only 70 minutes lost across all three. Now Patel’s side has delivered much its best cricket so far this season but the rain has intervened in potentially decisive fashion.
In the brief session of play that was possible before lunch, both wickets fell to spinner Gareth Batty, meaning his next wicket will be his 666th in first-class cricket. Batty trapped former Surrey opener Dominic Sibley lbw with his first ball of the day and then won another lbw verdict to dismiss Rob Yates, although the young batsman appeared hard done by, having been well down the track.
Will Rhodes (34 not out, 100 balls, two fours) and Sam Hain added 26 before the weather closed in.
* Warwickshire have awarded 17-year-old batsman/off-spinner Dan Mousley his first professional contract following a run of impressive performances in the Second XI and Under 19s.
Mousley, who attended Bablake School, Coventry, and has recently joined Birmingham & District Premier League club Berkswell from Kenilworth Wardens, has been part of Warwickshire’s Performance Pathway since the age of eight. He has been awarded his first contract for the 2019 summer.
Meanwhile, 17-year-old batsman and off-spinner Dan Mousley has been awarded his first professional contract following a run of impressive performances in the second XI and under-19s.
