[CRK] Sibley and Pope Steady Surrey After Essex Post 409

[CRK]

Sibley and Pope Steady Surrey After Essex Post 409

Dom Sibley posted his first half-century of the campaign as Surrey fought back after losing early wickets in their Rothesay County Championship clash against Essex at the Kia Oval.

Opener Sibley shared a 105 partnership with Ollie Pope, who looked in good touch for 69 – his third consecutive 50-plus score for Surrey after losing his England Test spot during the winter – until presenting Jamie Porter with a routine return catch.

Essex’s Innings

Noah Thain’s career-best 64 had earlier propelled Essex above 400 before off-spinner Dan Lawrence wrapped up the innings with three for 14 – including two wickets in as many balls – against his former county.

Thain, who resumed in the morning on 33, did well to fend away an early snorter from Gus Atkinson that reared up off the surface and generally looked comfortable against the short ball as he and Simon Harmer extended their overnight partnership to 75.

Surrey’s Fightback

Their efforts enabled the home side, who were looking unsteady at 29 for two in reply to Essex’s 409, to close at 192 for three – still 217 behind – with Sibley batting through the last two sessions for a gritty undefeated 74.

Lawrence kept the scoreboard ticking over in the closing stages, shortening the deficit while the shadows lengthened and dispatching Snater for successive fours to reach 38 at stumps.

• Surrey 192 for 3 (Sibley 74*, Pope 69) trail Essex 409 (Walter 101, Elgar 92, Lawrence 3-14) by 217 runs