Kaif strikes out to topple Surrey
Derbyshire 271 Surrey 134 Derbyshire win by 137 runs
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In cricketing terms, this is a giant-killing. If Surrey are the summer game's Manchester United then Derbyshire, in the second division of both Championship and National League, could be described as its Derby County, without the debts.
Indeed, having just secured funding for a £4.5m indoor cricket school, Derbyshire are feeling pleasantly prosperous. All the more so for having given the champions a sound thumping. This was Surrey's first defeat in any form of cricket in 21 matches, spanning almost 10 months, and it could not have been much more emphatic, especially with 16.2 overs left.
Adam Hollioake had warned his side against complacency. Derbyshire beat Surrey against the odds in a NatWest quarter-final at The Oval five years ago and, they were the last team to beat Surrey in a one-day game, last August, ahead of an 11-game winning streak. Even so, the absence of Alec Stewart and Mark Butcher, both rested, suggested some under-estimating.
Surrey failed to contain Derbyshire even on a sluggish pitch. They missed the injured Martin Bicknell, not to mention Alex Tudor, as Michael Di Venuto and Chris Bassano put on 60 for the second wicket.
Derbyshire felt a 230-240 total would be par, but a superb home debut innings by Mohammad Kaif, their latest overseas player, put them handsomely in profit.
The Indian one-day specialist's shot selection and timing were magnificent. He was not long in the company of Di Venuto, who lofted loosely to mid-off after hitting 51 off 73 balls, but his partnerships with the Dominics, Hewson and Cork, gave the innings sustained impetus.
Kaif was disappointed to hole out to deep square leg for 81. "I wanted to get a hundred, which would have been a good way to start in front of a new home crowd," he said.
At 26 for 4 in the 11th over, even Surrey looked rocky, Kevin Dean and the new-look highlighted Cork having blown away the top order. Graeme Welch (4 for 26) ensured the good start was not wasted. "We just played solid cricket," Cork said. "On our day we can be a force to be reckoned with and this was a great scalp."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments