County Championship: Pope and Sibley build Surrey’s lead over Hampshire

At 118-6 Hampshire were looking at a sizeable first innings deficit, but Prest and New Zealander Brett Hampton played positively, the latter caressing a wide, full ball from Kemar Roach to the extra cover fence.

A 50-stand was in the offing when Hampton fell for 26 made at more than a run a ball, Pope grabbing a fine low catch at slip from one which went from inside edge onto the pad.

Worrall returned to have Prest caught by Ryan Patel at short leg from a ball which flew off the meat of the bat and would have left the young batter in need of emergency dentistry had he not got his hands up in time.

The fact Surrey’s lead was limited to 34 owed much to Abbott’s swashbuckling 37, including a six over backward square, Lawrence ending his revelry with one which turned to bowl him through the gate.

Abbott made the breakthrough when Surrey batted a second time, trapping Rory Burns lbw, but not before the openers had added 56 with few alarms.

Sibley batted with greater fluency than 24 hours earlier, though surviving a close call for a run out before moving to 50 from 90 balls with seven fours.

Pope soon followed suit, propelled to the landmark with the aid of successive sixes off Sonny Baker, the latter stroke just clearing the fielder at wide third.

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay