Roach brace helps Surrey control Hampshire

(CMC) – Veteran seamer Kemar Roach continued his march towards the magical mark of 500 first class wickets with a brace against Hampshire yesterday, as Surrey enjoyed the better of the exchanges on day one of their Division One clash at the Oval.

The 34-year-old, the spearhead of West Indies’ Test attack, claimed two for 63, helping to bowl Hampshire out for 254 after the visitors chose to bat first.

Surrey made a strong reply to end the day on 37 without loss, behind by 217 runs heading into day two of the County Championship fixture.

Ben Brown missed out on his 24th first class hundred when he perished for 95 while Keith Barker, whose father is Guyanese, struck 58 but Hampshire never really found their footing after slipping to 39 for four.

Roach led the early demolition, hitting 23year-old Felix Organ in front for eight in the morning’s third over before getting Nick Gubbins to play on for two a few overs later.

Brown led the revival, putting on 49 for the fifth wicket with 21-year-old rookie opener Fletcha Middleton (32) and a further 96 with Barker for the seventh wicket, after two quick wickets fell to leave the innings on 114 for six.

Brown faced 167 balls in a shade over 3-¾ hours and struck 11 fours while Barker hit seven fours off 130 deliveries in 2-¾ hours and counted seven fours but Hampshire lost their last four wickets for 44 runs, 20-year-old seamer Tom Lawes accounting for both halfcentury makers to end with four for 58.

Roach has 492 wickets in his 152nd first class match.