Marcus Hook’s Surrey CCC column: Win over Hampshire was a real statement of intent from champions

Surrey honoured all those who have been members for 50 years last weekend. While they have witnessed plenty of downs as well as ups at the Oval in that time, their loyalty was rewarded with one of the most focused four-day performances the South Londoners have produced under Rory Burns.

There are statements of intent and ways of adding a first W of the season to the wins column.

The defending county champions couldn’t have been more emphatic in terms of how they went about both to wrap-up a nine-wicket victory over Hampshire.

Sport is rarely predictable but with Ollie Pope’s first-class record against the South Coast outfit, not to mention his fondness for the Oval, picking him out as my key man for Surrey last week was a no-brainer.

Day two was pivotal.

While rain and bad light were the winners on the second day, the fact the South Londoners only lost four wickets in conditions that were firmly in the bowlers’ favour for 43.3 overs was significant.

To think they also survived to make days three and four their own without Ben Foakes also spoke volumes.

Foakes pulled out at the 11th hour with a minor back complaint, which meant Tom Lawes came in with the wicketkeeping gloves being passed to Jamie Smith.

Lawes, 20, immediately underlined his immense potential by taking 4-58 with some precision seam bowling. Moreover Smith, 22, was outstanding behind the timbers, making light of the lavish swing on offer.

He might also have been called on to bat on the opening day, revealing afterwards that he was poised to come in as nightwatchman.

“We were also looking to bowl first, so it fell nicely,” said Lawes. “We knew the pitch had a bit of history in terms of beating Hampshire comfortably in each of the last two years, so we just wanted to start strong and put a mark on a strong team like Hampshire.

“At one point I thought we might have done them for a little bit lower, but partnerships happen and you have to be a little bit patient.

“They were allowed to have a good partnership and Ben Brown and Keith Barker batted nicely, but, yes, we would have taken Hampshire making 254.

“The nerves were going and adrenaline was going, the heart was beating a little bit, so to get a wicket with my second ball just settled me into a nice rhythm.

“It’s nice to know that the work I’ve been doing over the winter has paid off. I had an opportunity and I was able to put in a contributing performance.

“Rory Burns and Dom Sibley batted lovely for the last 14 overs, to see out the day for none down. I had my pads on as nightwatchman, so I was a bit nervous with the ball swinging and nipping about.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD