Pietersen hopes dented by Ryder
Kevin Pietersen
Kevin Pietersen

KEVIN Pietersen failed to deliver a big innings to impress England’s selectors as Surrey ran up 293-5 against Essex at The Oval.Pietersen made a patient 32 off 78 balls but then fell lbw to Jesse Ryder.
He was one of three high-class scalps for the Kiwi, who also won leg-before decisions against Kumar Sangakkara (52) and Jason Roy for a second-ball duck.
Opening batsman Rory Burns scored a polished 78 and in-form Steven Davies, who made his first double-century last week, ended the day unbeaten on 69.
Put in, Surrey looked set to dominate when they reached 175 for two with Sangakkara and Pietersen at the crease.
But the Essex bowlers stuck to their task well, making Pietersen toil through 31 overs for his 32 runs.
An evenly balanced day was tilted narrowly the home side’s way in the last hour as Davies, fresh from making 200 not out against Glamorgan in Cardiff last week, made 69 from 123 balls.
He added an unbroken 50 for the sixth wicket with captain Gary Wilson.
“This was a proper day of Championship cricket. Surrey’s batsmen were made to work hard by the Essex bowlers but the home side will feel they had a pretty decent day.
“Rory Burns and Zafar Ansari set the platform after being put in by Essex and Burns will be annoyed that his hard work did not bring him a hundred.
“Kumar Sangakkara made a pleasing 52 on his home debut and Kevin Pietersen played some powerful shots in his 32.
“But Jesse Ryder swung the day (literally) back to the visitors when he dismissed Pietersen and Jason Roy in the space of three deliveries.
“Steven Davies looked in wonderful touch for his unbeaten 69 and he joined forces with Gary Wilson to take Surrey to stumps on 293-5.”

ESSEX COACH PAUL GRAYSON:
“We thought the pitch might have done a little bit more but they worked hard for their runs. We’ve tried to be consistent with the ball and build pressure.
“Burns and Ansari played very well. We wanted to try to break that partnership early and expose Sanga and KP to the newish ball but those two young lads stuck at it.”

SURREY OPENER RORY BURNS:
“I was a little bit disappointed with myself after getting in on that wicket. Obviously it was pretty tricky early on and quite tough all the way through.
“I was trying to replicate what Kumar Sangakkara had done. Obviously the execution didn’t quite work and I got caught at point.” (BBC Sport)

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