By Ben Horne
April 16 2004

Azhar Mahmood hit 84 to save Surrey in the first day of the new season at the Brit Oval. Surrey made a bad start as they were reduced to 84 for 5. However thanks to the lower order they were able to reach a respectable total of 304. Azhar Mahmood hit 84 to save Surrey in the first day of the new season at the Brit Oval. Surrey made a bad start as they were reduced to 84 for 5. However thanks to the lower order they were able to reach a respectable total of 304. John Batty won the toss and decided to bat first in his first championship game as captain. However he and opening partner Newman fell early to leave the lions 24 for 2. Youngster James Benning then came in and looked in good touch after a century against Oxford university but when on 24 he went for a big hit and was caught by Ahmed at mid-off. Ramprakash was next to fall when he played at a wide ball and was caught at cover by former team mate Ian Ward. Adam Hollioake then fell on the last ball before lunch to leave the lions struggling at 84 for 5. Azhar Mahmood then came out after lunch all guns blazing and managed to hit a magnificent 84, which included a six in to the building site for the new stand. Salisbury and Bicknell both hit useful scores and James Ormond managed 27, including a six of Mushtaq Ahmed. After a poor start Surrey managed to reach 304 all out. Sussex then reached 75 for no wicket with Surrey reject Ian Ward making 44 not out. Surrey 1st innings: Newman lbw b Lewry 10 Batty c Ambrose b Mohammad Akram 14 Ramprakash c I Ward b Martin-J 25 Benning c Mushtaq Ahmed b Martin-J 24 A Brown lbw b Lewry 27 Hollioake c Ambrose b Martin-J 4 Azhar Mahmood c Montgomerie b Lewry 84 Salisbury c Ambrose b Innes 45 Bicknell b Mushtaq Ahmed 40 Ormond c Ambrose b Martin-J 27 Murtagh not out 0 Extras 4 Total (all out, 81.5 overs) 304 Sussex firs innings: I Ward not out 44 Montgomerie not out 24 Extras 7 Total (for no wicket, 20 overs) 75