COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Bristol:
Gloucestershire v Surrey 112-3
Glos 1pt, Surrey 0pts
Match scorecard

Pietersen is trying to find some form ahead of the Ashes this winter

England's Kevin Pietersen finally found some form for Surrey on a rain-affected opening day against Gloucestershire.

Pietersen, who has been dropped from England's one-day squad and scored nought and one against Glamorgan last week, was unbeaten on 40 at the close.

He helped Surrey to 112-3 after they were initially in trouble on 45-3, following early wickets for Jon Lewis, Anthony Ireland and Gemaal Hussain.

Rory Hamilton-Brown was unbeaten on 28 when rain ended day one early.

Surrey's decision to bat first looked to have backfired as Gloucestershire took advantage of overcast conditions.

606: DEBATE Surrey have never finished as the bottom of all counties in our entire 165-year history brownhatters

Surrey are battling to avoid the wooden spoon and could still finish bottom of Division Two if Derbyshire beat promotion-chasing Glamorgan.

After losing the early wickets of openers Jason Roy and Tom Lancefield, Pietersen came to the crease with the score on 37-2.

He got off the mark first ball with a shot through the covers for three and then off-drove Ireland for four and whipped Hussain through mid-wicket as he got into his stride.

Mark Ramprakash fell for 15 but Pietersen was unbeaten on 16 at lunch with Surrey 68-3, before rain delayed the resumption of the second session.

Pietersen was soon confident enough to be marching down the wicket to experienced seamer Lewis and looked in little trouble in the bowler-friendly conditions.

When Ireland dropped a ball short, Pietersen pulled him for six over deep backward square and by the time the umpires abandoned play for the day at 1700 BST, he had also struck five fours in facing 59 balls.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version