LV COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Whitgift School:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY TWO: Surrey 493, Worcestershire 262-3
Surrey 6pts, Worcs 5pts
Match scorecard

Worcestershire skipper Vikram Solanki took full advantage of a flat wicket

Centuries from captain Vikram Solanki and Moeen Ali helped Worcestershire battle back on the second day of their match with Surrey.

After dismissing Surrey for 493 from their overnight 415-6, the visitors lost openers Daryl Mitchell and Phil Jacques without scoring.

But Solanki and Moeen added 223, a third-wicket county record against Surrey, before they closed on 262-3.

Solanki eventually fell for 114, but Moeen is still there on 122.

Facing an intimidating Surrey total, Worcestershire started poorly when Andre Nel claimed Mitchell leg before in his first over and Iftikhar Anjum had Jaques caught behind in his second.

The pitch was remarkably dry for April and the ball was turning for Gareth Batty and Chris Schofield, two former England spinners, but Solanki and Moeen did not allow them to dominate.

Solanki greeted both spinners by hitting them for four and six in their first overs, and on one occasion Moeen hit Schofield for eight - a six over long-on and two penalty runs for a no ball.

Solanki was the first to his hundred off 153 balls with four sixes and 12 fours. He had made 114 when he was bowled pushing forward to a ball from Nel that seemed to nip back at him.

Moeen reached his century off 179 balls with two sixes and 14 fours and was still there on 122 at the close.

Their partnership was a record for Worcestershire's third wicket against Surrey, beating the 165 set by Solanki and Ben Smith at New Road in 2007.

Surrey had started the day on 415-6 but lost Schofield in the second over without addition to their score when he drove Richard Jones to Moeen at cover point.

Steve Davies, playing against his former county, added 18 to his overnight 119 before skying Moeen to mid-wicket where he was well caught by Alan Richardson running round from mid-on. He had scored his 137 off 200 balls with a six and 16 fours.

There were more useful runs from Nel until he was run out by Solanki's direct hit from mid-off and Iftikhar before he holed out to mid-on off Moeen.

With the Whitgift wicket as batsman-friendly as ever, a draw already appears by far the likeliest outcome.

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