Taylor Wickets Not Enough
14 May 2014
Matt Taylor (pictured) and Benny Howell claimed two last day victims each , but were unable to prevent Gloucestershire slipping to a four-wicket LV=County Championship defeat by Surrey at The Oval.
A bowler down because of Ian Saxelby's injury, the visitors were undone by a Graeme Smith century in the best batting conditions of the match.
With the sun shining, Surrey captain Smith and Rory Burns extended their opening stand from an overnight 47 to 145 before Smith was caught behind off Taylor for 103.
The experienced South African had faced 112 balls and hit 16 fours, leading from the front as his side chased down a target of 267.
Taylor removed Dominic Sibley cheaply, while Graeme McCarter accounted for Burns (45) as the hosts slipped 172-3.
But Steven Davies, who had abandoned wicketkeeping duties for the match to concentrate on his batting, ensured there was no serious wobble.
He added 32 with Gary Wilson before the latter fell lbw to James Fuller for 16 and was then joined by Jason Roy, who helped take the total to 228-4 at tea.
That left Surrey requiring just 39 in the final session of the match. Davies and Roy both fell in the closing stages to Howell, but with the required runs down to just four.
Roy was brilliantly stumped by Cameron Herring off Howell having contributed 17 to stand of 59 before Davies hit a catch to cover off the same bowler and departed for 61.
Surrey closed on 267-6, Taylor finishing with 2-48 and Howell 2-64. The home side took 19 points from the game to Gloucestershire's three.
After the game Gloucestershire skipper Michael Klinger told this website: "We would really have liked the opportunity to bowl at Surrey more on day three when the weather was overcast.
"The Oval seemed to get every shower that was around London and it was very frustrating. Batting conditions were so much better today and being a bowler light made it more difficult for the other seamers.
"Graeme Smith is a quality player and he was too good for us today. But I was pleased with the efforts of the bowlers.
"James Fuller was excellent in the first innings and actually pretty good in the second innings too, even though his figures didn't show it. The Surrey batsmen treated him with a lot of respect and looked to play him off.
"Ian Saxelby went home early today to have a scan on his injury. He was feeling a nerve in his leg and we are not sure whether it is connected with his knee or thigh.
"We will know a lot more when the scan results come through. Everyone feels for Ian because he has done everything right in his preparation for this season and bowled well in our previous game."
For more details on the final day at The Oval click on Cricket and then Match reports.
