By Ben Horne
April 28 2003

Surrey started their national league division one campaign with a win as they beat the Essex eagles by 15 runs at Chelmsford. Azhar Mahmood scored 98 runs as Surrey reached 208 for 8 from their 45 overs. Surrey started their national league division one campaign with a win as they beat the Essex eagles by 15 runs at Chelmsford. Azhar Mahmood scored 98 runs as Surrey reached 208 for 8 from their 45 overs.

Essex won the toss and decided bowl. They soon reduced Surrey to 34 for 3 with Jon Dakin picking up the Key wickets of Ian Ward for 0 and Ali Brown for 18. Graham Thorpe then scored 26 but wickets continued to fall and Surrey were in trouble at 82 for 6. Azhar Mahmood then came to the crease and together with Adam Hollioake they put on 154 for the seventh wicket. Hollioake scored 77 while Mahmood scored 92 from just 73 balls. From 82 for 6 Surrey had reached 268 from their 45 overs

Essex got off to a good start with Darren Robinson and Will Jefferson putting on 65 for the opening stand. Surrey then reduced Essex to 75 for 3 with Alex Tudor taking two wickets. Nasser Hussain and Essex Captain Ronni Irani then put on 51 for the fourth wicket before Saqlain Mushtaq bowled Hussain for 21. Ronni Irani went on to score 64 before he was caught behind by John Batty off Rikki Clarke. This left the Essex score at 178 for 6. James Foster then chipped in with 41 but when he was dismissed Essex were 233 for 8. Azhar Mahmood and Adam Holliaoke then took a wicket apiece to leave Essex all out for 253. Surrey had won the game by 15 runs.

Essex won toss

Surrey innings:

I Ward LBW B Dakin 0
A Brown C Foster B Dakin 18
Ramprakash B Brant 11
Thorpe B Napier 26
Clarke LBW B Napier 8
J Batty LBW B Napier 7
Hollioake B Brant 77
Azher M B Dakin 98
Saqlain M not out 9
Tudor not out 2

Extras 12

Total (for 8 wickets 45 overs) 268

Essex innings:

Robinson C and B Azhar M 12
Jefferson LBW B Tudor 47
Hussain B Saqlain M 21
A Flower B Tudor 4
Irani C J Batty B Clarke 64
Grayson St J Batty B Saqlain M 4
Foster C Saqlain M B Tudor 41
Dakin LBW B Saqlain M 17
Napier C Tudor B Azhar M 11
Middlebrook C Clarke B Hollioake 0
Brant not out 14

Extras 18

Total (all out 43 overs) 253

Result = Surrey won by 15 runs