Surrey cemented their place at the top of the Vitality County Championship as they completed an innings and five runs victory over Worcestershire at ‘Visit Worcestershire New Road’ with more than half a day to spare.
Worcestershire resumed on 207-5 – still needing 71 to avoid an innings defeat – and were bowled out for 273 by the reigning champions as the unwavering Jordan Clark claimed his season’s best figures of 5-65.
It was just the tonic that impressive Surrey needed before next week’s top two meeting with Essex at the Kia Oval. They produced an all-round professional performance with bat and ball and were back to their ruthless best after a defeat at the Utilita Bowl.
They batted consistently and had the cream on top in Dan Lawrence’s superb 175 which included what was at that stage the joint most runs conceded in an over – 38 – at the expense of Shoaib Bashir.
Surrey’s seam attack was ruthless in the way it worked its way through the Worcestershire middle order. In their defence, newly promoted Worcestershire have a lengthy injury list including Club captain Brett D’Oliveira and evergreen leader of their attack in Joe Leach.
Worcestershire resumed on 207-5 and quickly lost Matthew Waite who aimed to work Sean Abbott on the leg side and was plumb lbw.
Dan Lawrence came into the attack and accounted for Tom Taylor who played back to the spinner and edged through to Surrey skipper Rory Burns at first slip.
The usually fluent Adam Hose put the accent on solely on defence and scored seven runs in the first hour.
Clark picked up his fourth wicket when Ben Allison shouldered arms and was bowled.
The end was close for Worcestershire when Adam Finch went lbw to a ball of full length from Worrall, but Hose decided to go down with a flourish and struck three fours and a six in an over from Clark.
He then pulled the same bowler for a massive six over deep mid wicket to reach a 121 ball half century. Clark had his revenge when Hose on 64 attempted a ramp shot and was bowled to give the allrounder his season’s best figures of 5-65.
“A good all-round performance.”
— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 26, 2024
After taking five wickets to finish the match, Jordan Clark spoke to @TheMiddleStump 🎤
🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/XUJWQrz4Vt
