Smethurst defied by Surrey tail

The only declaration that Surrey made yesterday was one of intent. Their captain, Adam Hollioake, has an acute appreciation of the psychological side of the game.

The only declaration that Surrey made yesterday was one of intent. Their captain, Adam Hollioake, has an acute appreciation of the psychological side of the game.

While many might have expected him to close the Surrey innings once they had squared the match on the bonus points front at 250 for 8, Hollioake was prepared to back his lower order to push on a lot further, even against the admirable Mike Smethurst, which they duly did.

The psychology being that Surrey could score the runs and then take the wickets. And so it proved. Surrey lost their ninth wicket to concede maximum bowling points to Lancashire but by then, Martin Bicknell and Ian Salisbury had taken them near enough for Alex Tudor to display his class with the bat and see them past 300.

With the best part of three sessions lost to the weather so far, the 73 runs gleaned by the tail should ensure that Surrey do not lose; now the those same tail-enders have to bowl well enough to help the First Division leaders take charge of this match against third-placed Lancashire, over whom they still retain a four-point advantage in the Championship table.

Smethurst set a fine example. His swing bowling accounted for two more wickets - it might have been more as the Surrey batsmen continued to the fatal attraction with the ball which began wide enough and went even wider.

But Smethurst's final figures of 6 for 63, which made him the 60th Lancashire bowler to take five or more wickets in an innings in this, the 199th meeting between these two counties, reflected the effort, commitment and talent he possesses.

He promises to prove a handful second time around as well. But, laudable as was Smethurst's performance, it was the batting which entertained.

Bicknell and Jon Batty overcame a frustrating morning when 11 overs were bowled in two stints between showers before a prolonged spell of rain suspended play until late afternoon.

Then the two batsmen eased Surrey to a first bonus point. Batty fell to Glen Chapple, and Bicknell perished soon after, but Salisbury took up the cudgels and he Tudor really waded into the attack.

When Smethurst had Salisbury leg before after an hour and a half of resistance Surrey were within touching distance of their third bonus point, the ninth wicket having realised 57 invaluable runs.

Tudor was last out, bowled by Andrew Flintoff, after a dashing, but extremely competent 35 - the same score as Salisbury - made off just 54 balls. It was right at the end of the day, giving the England fast bowler the night to recover from his exertions with the bat before attempting to rip out Lancashire's finest today.