Worcestershire’s return to Rothesay County Championship action did not go as planned, as Surrey’s bowlers dominated Day One, bowling the home side out for 209.
A middle order collapse saw the Pears slip to 87-5, after both Jake Libby (28) and Henry Nicholls (31) made starts at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
Matthew Waite dug in for a resilient 68 in an otherwise disappointing batting display from the home side.
Despite the efforts of the hosts bowling attack, the Surrey openers Ryan Patel and Dom Sibley batted through the remaining 15 overs of the day, as Surrey closed the day 47-0.
Worcestershire returned to Rothesay County Championship action on Sunday, after a near month-break from the four-day competition, as they welcomed Surrey to Visit Worcestershire New Road.
The resumption provided the hosts with an opportunity to revitalise their Division One campaign, the Pears, however, would be doing so without the services of Captain Brett D’Oliveira, who’s extended absence through injury meant Jake Libby, led the team out on the opening morning.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Gareth Roderick joined Libby as the pair headed out to bat under cloudy skies and in the face of a stiff breeze.
The second-ball of the day was driven exquisitely to the cover-boundary by Roderick, as he climbed into an over-pitched delivery from Nathan Smith, as he looked set on taking another big opportunity at the top of the order.
His positive start was short-lived however, as he was trapped LBW off a full-length Matt Fisher delivery for 10, bringing the in-form Henry Nicholls to the crease.
Fresh off a sparkling double-century for the 2nd XI, the New Zealand international paired Libby to add 47 for the second wicket, before the latter’s promising start was ended for 28 when Jordan Clark beat his defences with a nip-backer that clipped off-stump.
The hosts’ promising morning session was soon a distant memory, as Kashif Ali lasted just three balls, before he was run-out on the stroke of lunch after a hesitant single cost him his wicket, leaving Worcestershire 70-3 heading into the interval wondering how such a promising start to the match’s opening session had slightly unravelled.
Worcestershire’s batters continued to be put under intense pressure early in the afternoon session, when Fisher removed Nicholls for 31, before the impressive Jordan Clark (3-38) pinned Hose LBW, as the Oval-based outfit took control of proceedings.
Ethan Brookes and Matthew Waite came together, with their side in some peril at 87-5, but raised the 100 in the 43rd over of the day, shortly before Brookes was given a reprieve when he was dropped at gully still in single figures.
The pair added 31 for the sixth wicket, when former Worcestershire man Nathan Smith traded wickets with Mitchell Santner, with Waite running out of partners at the other end.
Ben Allison joined Waite, negotiating a tricky period as tea approached, with Worcestershire hanging any hopes of a substantial first-innings score on the hat of 47 not-out Waite.
The ever-dependable all-rounder raised his bat shortly after tea, bringing up his third half-century of the season in a defiant innings.
Allison (3) feathered an edge through to Rory Burns off the returning Fisher, before Fateh Singh partnered Waite, launching a timely counter-attack.
The pair came together to add a valuable 45 for the ninth wicket, with both players exhibiting some flamboyant stroke play, until Waite held out to Dan Lawrence at long-on for a valiant 68.
Jacob Duffy was the last man out, as Worcestershire’s innings was brought to a close for 209.
With 15 overs remaining in the day, Worcestershire had a window of opportunity to make some early inroads into the Surrey top-order and wrestle back some momentum.
Despite an aggressive spell from Jacob Duffy (0-18), during which he got one short ball to rise and hit Ryan Patel on the arm, the bowlers were unable to make a breakthrough.
Dom Sibley and Patel batted with temperament to frustrate the hosts, as they made it through to stumps 47-0.
