WARWICKSHIRE CCC piled on more than 500 runs in their first innings of the season as their County Championship defence began with a draw against Surrey.
Weather interference and an excellent pitch for batting ensured two of this season’s leading contenders for the title were held in a stalemate at Edgbaston.
Bears wicket-keeper Michael Burgess scored a career best 178 from 221 balls (20 fours and eight sixes) and was supported by number 11 Olly Hannon-Dalby as the pair added 122 for the last wicket.
The rain and bad light saw the loss of 47 overs of play.
Warwickshire captain Will Rhodes said: “It was a magnificent partnership between Burge and Olly.
“Huge credit goes to Olly for all the work he had put in on his batting in the winter, as have all the bowlers with their batting.
“Milo and Brookes batted really well too and it’s for exactly situations like that, to get bonus points and get the team safe and to help people to milestones.
“Fair play to those guys, they are in the team to bowl, but also to help guide us to some big totals when we need them to.
“Burge batted brilliantly for his career best. I’m really pleased for him. He works really hard on his game and is really getting his rewards.
“Overall, it was a solid start for us. There were plenty of positives but a few things for us to reflect on so it is good now for us to have a week without a game so we can work on those before we come back against a very good Essex team.”
Surrey looked to be in prime position to beat the reigning champions after declaring on 428-8 and reducing Warwickshire to 41-4 at the start of the Bears innings.
However, Matt Lamb’s timely 106 off 175 balls and Sam Hain’s 78 from 260 deliveries helped steady the ship before Burgess and Hannon-Dalby remained at the crease for 134 minutes for the last wicket.
Hannon-Dalby was also the pick of the Warwickshire bowlers taking 4-78 from 30 overs whilst Danny Briggs 3-84 and Robert Yates 1-15 took the other wickets
Warwickshire are next in action at home to Essex on Thursday, April 14 with the action set to begin at 11am at Edgbaston.
