Kemar Roach reflects on career-best bowling figures in Surrey’s emphatic dismantling of Hampshire

BY MARCUS HOOK

Fast bowler Kemar Roach described Surrey’s innings victory over Hampshire as the perfect response to the South Londoners’ 10-wicket defeat to Middlesex at Lord’s.

The South London club were relentless throughout the County Championship Group Two clash, racking up 560-7 declared after bowling out Hampshire for just 92.

Surrey’s first win in the competition moves them up to fourth in the standings, 28 points behind table-topping Gloucestershire.

“We were fantastic,” said the 32-year-old Barbadian, pictured top, who completed the job by recording career best figures of 8-40.

“The boys just stuck to the game plan. We know the game at Lord’s was a tough one to lose, but we planned well, put the work in and we grinded right to the end.

“Hampshire were obviously high on confidence. They’ve done well so far this season. So, we knew it was going to be a tough game going into it. It was a good toss to win and to go out there and dismiss them for 92 was the perfect start. Then the way the guys batted was amazing. Bowling them out again for 179 was another big step, a good hurdle. I’m so proud of the guys and now it’s on to Leicester.

“We’re very pleased, but we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. It’s only one win, but the guys are high on confidence now. Hopefully, we can take it on to the rest of the season.”

Roach had taken just three wickets at a cost of 75 apiece going into the Hampshire clash.

Surrey announced in March that they had signed 32-year-old Roach for the opening seven matches in the County Championship.

After the Middlesex match in late May he will return home to prepare for West Indies’ international matches.

He said: “I’m extremely happy. I put a lot of work into my first two games. Tough work and a lot of overs.

“I didn’t get much of a reward, but to come here and put the ball in the right areas and to get 10 wickets in the game, it’s a fantastic feeling. To do it with a bunch of great guys even better.”

“As a fast bowler it’s hard work. To go out there and put the effort in every day is tough on your body. So, to get the rewards is always heartfelt. Hopefully, I can do it again very soon. The County Championship is really tough. I’d say it’s the closest thing to Test cricket. It’s definitely challenging. It challenges your body and your skills as a bowler as well.

“It’s a competition where you really have to prepare yourself well, to carry yourself through. The games come pretty quick, but once you get yourself into a good condition, you can carry on pretty well.”

I am delighted to have got eight wickets in an innings for the first time in my career. It’s probably the best I’ve bowled for about a year.

“The ball came out extremely well. I got some assistance from the other guys, who helped me in terms of certain batsmen, because I don’t know some of them too well.

“But they gave me some good information and, obviously, we executed well – different batsmen and what their weaknesses are, it worked out fantastically.

“I’m very proud of myself and the team.”

LEIC’SHIRE v SURREY probable line-ups

Surrey:
Burns (capt), Stoneman, Amla, Pope, Foakes (wk), Smith, Clark, Clarke, Topley, Roach and Virdi.

Leicestershire:
Azad, Evans, Harris, Patel, Hill, Swindells (wk), Mike, Parkinson (capt), Wright, Klein and Griffiths.

KEY PLAYERS
Ollie Pope (Surrey) – made 245 against Leicestershire in the corresponding fixture at the Oval three weeks ago.
Lewis Hill (Leicestershire) – the 30-year-old tops the Foxes’ batting averages with 481 runs at 68.71. Furthermore, both of his first-class hundreds have come against Surrey.

FORM GUIDE
Leicestershire are the only side in Group Two still awaiting their first win of the season. Surrey are two places above them, in fourth, knowing they need at least three more victories from the next six outings before they can think about qualifying for Division One.

STAT
Surrey’s 560-7 against Hampshire included three consecutive century partnerships. The last time the South Londoners achieved this was in 2005. Following the 672-8 against Leicestershire, it was also the first time since 2006 that Surrey had posted two successive scores of 500-plus at the Oval.

STAR MAN
Hashim Amla – don’t forget he took guard not long after Hampshire had been dismissed for 92 and Surrey had lost Mark Stoneman early.

BEST MOMENT
Jordan Clark’s three wickets in seven balls, which helped reduce Hampshire from 44-2 to 44-6 on the opening day.

NEXT FIXTURE
May 6-9: Leicestershire v Surrey at Grace Road (LV County Championship)
May 16-19: Somerset v Surrey at Taunton (LV County Championship)

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD