Batty grinds out Surrey draw

Jon Batty

Jonathan Batty's resolute hundred for Surrey earned them a draw from their game against Glamorgan

Surrey wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty occupied the crease for two and a half sessions on the final day of the LV= County Championship season to deny Glamorgan victory.

The 35-year-old scored 120, his second century of the summer, and featured in a match-saving fourth-wicket stand of 174 in 63 overs with captain Stewart Walters that helped Surrey reach 309 for seven for their 11th draw of a disappointing Second Division campaign.

Resuming on 24 for one and needing a further 248 to make Glamorgan bat again, Surrey lost nightwatchman Richard Logan for six five overs into the morning session when he gloved a delivery from Garnett Kruger to wicketkeeper Mark Wallace.

Just before lunch Arun Harinath deflected a ball onto his leg stump to make it 63 for three.

Walters and Batty dug in thereafter, Batty riding his luck somewhat when he was dropped on 13 and 96.

James Allenby downed the first chance at slip off the bowling of James Harris and Glamorgan skipper Jamie Dalrymple was the sinner at slip when he juggled a chance off the gentle seamers of Mark Cosgrove.

There was even a slice of good fortune about the stroke which took Batty into three figures as a slightly mistimed off-drive against the luckless Cosgrove bobbled through Dean Cosker at extra cover.

The second new ball helped Glamorgan to break the stand soon after tea when Harris returned at the Pavilion End to have Walters caught on the drive by Dalrymple.

Matt Spriegel then went for a golden duck when he edged the next ball from Harris to substitute fielder Tom Maynard at slip.

The excellent Harris continued Glamorgan’s fightback and ended Batty’s resistance after almost five and a half hours when he played inside a leg-cutter that plucked out his off stump.

Batty’s 120 runs included 14 fours and came from 272 balls.

Surrey had to rely on young all-rounder Chris Jordan and Chris Schofield to wipe off the deficit but, six overs from the close Schofield went lbw to Robert Croft to keep the visitors in the hunt.

Usman Afzaal, who tore a hamstring in the field on Friday, emerged to bat at number nine with a runner to help Jordan survive until the sides shook hands on a draw.