Yorkshire 133 for 7 (Wharton 45*, Worrall 3-24, Fisher 2-42) vs. Sari
Sarri is used to spending September fighting for the title, but things are different this year. Champions for three successive seasons from 2022 to 2024, they have won just once in the Championship this summer and head into the final month of the season just three points behind ninth-placed Leicestershire. There’s no denying it: they’re on the decline.
Worrall was unplayable at Kia Oval during Surrey’s title-winning years, taking 90 wickets at 17.12 in 17 home matches. He has been a marginal figure this season due to calf and knee injuries, but was at his best against Yorkshire: he returned figures of 3 for 24 from 17 overs as Surrey’s four-man seam attack flourished after winning an important toss on an uncertain day.
James Wharton and Matthew Revis fought hard to add 91 for the fourth wicket in 37.2 overs, extending the tea period, but both fell to Tom Laws before reaching 50. Revis veered to mid-wicket and Wharton veered to second slip, and Worrall had caught Jonny Bairstow and George Hill at the cordon soon after each of Laws’ wickets.
Surrey’s only Championship win this season came on May 4, when it was inconceivable that they would go on a run of six matches without a win. But they find themselves in danger after a dismal season, where injuries, availability, lifeless stadiums and poor form have left them looking anxiously over their shoulders.
Overseas recruit Aqib Nabi’s first day as a Surrey player ended in wicket, but he still played a part in a brilliant bowling performance. Fisher identified a short period after tea, in which Yorkshire managed to score three runs in 34 balls against Naby and Laws, as the turning point of the day.
“The pressure has continued to mount,” he said. “You could feel it there: something was going to happen. That’s what we were talking about and we took advantage of that, being patient long enough, and got the rewards in the end… I think this could be the best day we’ve ever had together as a group.” [this season]”.
Fisher said: “I feel frustrated and disappointed. You dream of playing for England.” “There’s only one test left now and he has seven [seam] Bowlers in the team, you don’t need that, so I understand that, but I’ll keep trying to put up the tough yards for Surrey. “The matches come thick and fast, so you try to play with that rhythm but you also try to keep your body in a good place.”
Fisher said England all-rounder Marcus North had been clear in his communications with him and said he was working closely with ECB bowling captain Troy Kohli to become “the best bowler I can be”.
He added: “I’ve had setbacks before and it’s not really a setback, but I’m frustrated. I felt like I was OK when I played here.” [against New Zealand] At The Oval and it was really nice to be around him again, but you’ve just got to keep trying to play well… I’m really proud of what the guys are doing and I hope I can get back to it at some stage.
Surrey’s seamers beat the bat so much on the opening day that Fisher accepted the suggestion that the scoreboard did not quite reflect their dominance, but they would be wary that Yorkshire’s attack could be dangerous on this pitch. They also face the prospect of a fourth-round chase against Kuldeep Yadav, although a strong effort in tomorrow’s first innings should put them ahead.
Matt Roller is a senior reporter at Cricinfo. @mroller98
