Surrey’s Second XI wrapped up their Championship season on a high, sealing a commanding seven-wicket win over Warwickshire in Birmingham.
On the back of brilliant performances by Surrey’s seamers across both innings and an anchoring 109 not out from Stuart van der Merwe, the Three Feathers required 131 runs to secure the victory on day three.
Arjun Gill and Tommy Ealham built on their overnight work before a destructive dash from Ollie Sykes (50* off 27), supported by his skipper Josh Blake’s measured 25 not out, took Surrey home.
Resuming on 15/1, Gill and Ealham negotiated much of the first hour in the morning session, steering Surrey 42 runs closer to their target. The 45-run partnership was broken when Warwickshire skipper JB Lintott bowled Ealham for 22.
The left-arm wrist spinner struck again, collecting Surrey’s third and final wicket of the day, as Gill was exceptionally caught at short leg by TO Wylie for a well-made 39.
Sykes arrived at the crease with Surrey 82/3 and in the blink of an eye – or 57 balls later – Surrey stormed to their target. The left-hander smashed an astonishing 50 not out from 27 balls, including nine fours and one huge six, whilst birthday boy Blake looked assured at the other end in their 66-run alliance.
