COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Grace Road:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Leicestershire 165 Surrey 217-3 (Surrey 4pts, Leics 0pts)
16 - 19 June 2009 (Play begins 1100 BST)

Ramprakash shared 158 in 63 overs with Michael Brown

Michael Brown and Mark Ramprakash helped Surrey take control on a rain-hit second day against Leicestershire.

Ramprakash (85) and Brown (82no) shared a second-wicket stand of 158 on a day when the rain ensured only 36 overs were possible at Grace Road.

After resuming on 121-1, Surrey closed on 217-2, a lead of 52.

Leicestershire's only success came when Ramprakash, who struck six boundaries in his 188-ball innings, was caught behind by Tom New off Harry Gurney.

Beginning the day on 46, Brown reached his half century by striking Gurney to the rope, before Ramprakash was put down at first slip on 41 off the bowling of AJ Harris.

However, 45 minutes before lunch, with the score at 179-1, rain forced the players from the field for four-and-a-half hours.

When they returned, Ramprakash struck seamer Jim Allenby for a trio of boundaries and Brown was put down at slip by HD Ackerman off Claude Henderson's left-arm spin.

The home side took the ball in the 83rd over, with instant rewards as Gurney found the edge of Ramprakash's bat.

Newman was then joined by Mark Butcher, but the teams were forced from the field for the final time in the day when the light drew in at the end of the next over.

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