Surrey boss Batty can see positive signs despite County Championship title-holders opening campaign with two draws
With 10 overs left and Hampshire 78 runs shy of pulling off a remarkable triumph against reigning champions Surrey, bad light had the final say in last weekend’s County Championship clash at The Kia Oval.
The hosts’ noses were in front for most of the game but Nick Gubbins and Toby Albert’s fifth-wicket stand of 143 on the last day frustrated Surrey’s seam attack, who frequently beat the outside edge of the bat on a pitch that improved as the contest unfolded.
“The fact Hampshire wanted to shake hands this evening suggested we were still pretty dominant,” said the South Londoners’ head coach Gareth Batty. “But we didn’t quite earn the rub of the green in the end.
“We left everything out there, passing the outside edge without taking it, so credit to Hampshire, who played some good, tough cricket.”
Back-to-back hundreds from Dom Sibley (100 not out and 105) left the visitors facing a victory target of 377, but Gubbins (117) and Albert (78 not out) ticked that down to the extent that all four results were still possible heading into the final session.
“Did we leave the door open? I don’t think so,” said Batty. “But we weren’t quite dominant enough in our second innings to make it impossible for them.
“Due to the rain and bad light we had on day three, we couldn’t quite get into a position to make it so there was no chance [for Hampshire].”
Despite Surrey opening their 2025 account with two draws – as, indeed, they did last year, when they went on to make it three championship titles in a row – Batty is buoyed by what he has seen so far.
Sibley is averaging 91.33 at the top of the order and seamer Matt Fisher, who has swapped Yorkshire for South London, is quickly establishing himself in an attack that remains one of the most feared in the country.
“They’re two very good examples of us really starting to hit our straps this season,” said Batty.
“Sibs going back-to-back was a wonderful effort and then Fish bowled superbly, pretty much every spell throughout the game, without the rewards.
He’ll bowl far worse over his career and end up with four-fers, five-fers, sixes even. He’s a great addition to our squad.
“In our first game last week at Essex, we were easing into the season a bit and then, in this game, on a pretty good pitch for mid-April, we were exceptional. So, there are very good signs for us to take forward into our next match, against Sussex.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD
