SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE - Specsavers County Championship - 3 July 2016
Surrey 273. Warwickshire 345-6.

Jonathan Trott scored his third century of the season as Warwickshire moved towards a commanding position against Surrey on the second day of their Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Guildford.

Trott made 123 as Warwickshire reached stumps on 345-6, a lead of 72 over Surrey's first innings 273. Unlike Surrey's centurion of the first day, Aaron Finch, Trott was given strong support. He formed century partnerships with Ian Bell, who scored 66, and Tim Ambrose, who made 53.

Surrey, without a first-class win on this ground since 2002, worked through seven bowlers in an attempt to dismiss Trott. Sam Curran finally succeeded, trapping him lbw one that kept low, which surprised Trott since the second new ball had just been taken.

Having been 12-0 overnight the visitors had begun briskly reaching 30 without loss within three overs but Mark Footitt and Tom Curran then found their length and began to exert control. The following seven overs produced five runs during which Umeed was dropped by Steve Davis off Footit in the slips. To the culprit's relief Umeed added only four more before Meaker knocked out his middle stump.

A heavy shower, which forced a 37-minute break, meant an extended middle session dominated by the Bell-Trott partnership. They came together after Chopra, on 42, was well caught down the legside by Ben Foakes as he flicked Footitt off his hip. It was a reward for Footitt who bowled sharply on his return to action after two months out with injury. His reappearance - and the availability of Sam Curran after completing his A levels - are very welcome to a Surrey side finding victories elusive on their return to the top flight.

The difference in standard between the first and second divisions was underlined by the class of Trott and Bell. As the sun emerged the two former England batsmen prospered, putting on 116 for the third wicket in just under 30 overs. Bell looked to be bedding in for a century himself but perished, for 66, to a fine running catch at deep square leg from Sam Curran off Gareth Batty. There was another success for Surrey in the following over when Sam Hain fenced at Meaker and was taken at second slip by Rory Burns for a second-ball duck.

Ambrose provided sterner resistance, scoring steadily while Trott moved serenely on. Having past 50 for the eighth time in 13 first-class and list A matches this season he reached three figures in 172 balls. He then opened up, uppercutting Meaker over backward point for six. The pair had put on 111 when Trott finally fell. With Ambrose going soon after, to an athletic catch at deep fine leg from Zafar Ansari, Surrey were able to harbour hope of keeping the deficit to manageable proportions.

Jonathan Trott said he hoped his century would prove the platform for a Warwickshire victory. "If you bat second you have got to try and bat big and there's perhaps the opportunity to get a few more tomorrow and see where the game takes us.

"They bowled well in periods so we had to combat that on a wicket that offers a bit of nibble when you get it in the right areas. There are times here you have to soak up some pressure then you will get your rewards. It is quite short square, and quick, so you can put any bad balls away."

Trott is having a profitable season having quit the international arena and he:said: "At this stage of my career it is about trying to make sure Warwickshire is in a good place and I am contributing, you don't need guys of 35 hanging around. My goal is to try and help the younger guys come along and try and create a few more England players."

There are, though, also personal landmarks to be achieved. "This", he said "is my first hundred against Surrey in four-day cricket, that's another one to tick off. Those are the things you play for at my age, the ones I have left are Leicester[shire] and Worcester[shire]."

TEA REPORT

Former England batsmen Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell both posted half-centuries as Warwickshire closed in on Surrey's first innings score on the second day of their Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Guildford.

Coming together at 82 for two in pursuit of 273 the pair put on 116 for the third wicket in just under 30 overs before Bell perished, for 66, to a fine running catch at deep square leg from Sam Curran off Gareth Batty. There was another success for Surrey in the following over when Sam Hain fenced at Stuart Meaker and was caught at second slip by Rory Burns for a duck but Trott remained unbeaten on 70 as Warwickshire reached 215-4 at tea.

Earlier Varun Chopra posted 42 before falling to Mark Footitt who looked sharp on his return after two months injured. Footitt also had Andrew Umeed dropped by Steve Davis in the slips, not that this proved expensive as the opener was soon bowled by Meaker for 18.

LUNCH REPORT

Varun Chopra led a steady morning's work by Warwickshire as they built a platform from which they could target a first innings lead over Surrey in their Specsavers County Championship Division One match at Guildford.

Resuming on the second day at 12-0 in pursuit of Surrey's 273 the visitors negotiated some sharp bowling and a rain shower to reach 78-1 at lunch. Chopra was 39 not out and skipper Ian Bell unbeaten on 15. The sole Surrey success was the wicket of Andrew Umeed, bowled by Stuart Meaker for a patient 18.

The visitors had begun briskly reaching 30 without loss within three overs but Mark Footit and Tom Curran then began to exert control. The following seven overs produced five runs during which Umeed was dropped by Steve Davis off Footit in the slips.

The miss looked as if it may be expensive when, after Meaker replaced Footit, Umeed ended a run of 18 scoreless deliveries with a four to backward point. However, next ball Meaker knocked out his middle stump bringing Bell to the crease. Aside from a 37-minute break for rain the pair reached lunch untroubled.

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