LONDON, CMC – Veteran sailor Kemar Roach yesterday grabbed two wickets to an inch closer to 400 first-class wickets as Surrey flourished on the second day of their County Championship match against Leicestershire at the Oval.
Fast bowler Kemar Roach sends a delivery against Leicestershire.
After falling short of wicket on Thursday’s opening day, the 32-year-old Roach rose two for 100 as the visitors were dismissed for 375 in their first innings yesterday.
In the end, Surrey were 253 for three, defeating by 122 runs heading into the penultimate day today.
Returning in the morning at 215 for three, Leicestershire were successful as Sam Evans (138) and Lewis Hill (70) extended their fourth wicket stand to 122 before being separated.
Opener Evans, unbeaten at 100 overnight, struck 16 four off 280 deliveries while Hill, resuming at 20, struck out seven four off 124 deliveries.
Once Evans was bowled over by spinner Amar Virdi, Leicestershire lost their last seven wickets for 77 wickets, with Roach’s success coming in consecutive rounds when he beat wicketkeeper Harry Swindells (20) and Callum Parkinson (2) is cheap.
Roach now has 395 first-class wickets from 124 games.
In their crease, Surrey fell to 93 for three before Ollie Pope (92 not out) and wicket keeper Ben Foakes (68 not out) struck timely half centuries in a 160 run fourth wicket stand to save the pubs .
In Taunton, West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite failed, but Gloucestershire rallied to end the day at 301 for eight, in response to 312 Somerset.
Resuming at two with Gloucestershire at 13 without a loss, Brathwaite marched at 18 to sailor Craig Overton (3-60) at 41 for one.
However, wicketkeeper James Bracey 118, Matt Taylor 53 not out and captain Chris Dent, 50, hit the pubs.
And in Derby, fast bowler Alzarri Joseph (2-108) failed to add to his match as Derbyshire were dismissed for 390 in their first innings, having resumed their 360 overnight at eight.
Worcestershire then closed at 243 for seven thanks to half centuries by Tom Fell (69) and Riki Wessell (60), with Joseph unbeaten at 10 at the end.