Date-stamped : 27 Jul97 - 10:36 Surrey on rampage says it all By Doug Ibbotson at Northampton First day of four: Surrey (386-4) v Northants WHAT might have been simply a diplomatic relations exercise by Steven Coverdale, Northamptonshire`s chief executive, was perti- nently underlined at Wantage Road as Surrey, having won the toss, ruthlessly destroyed the county`s bowling. In an effort to end a spate of rumour and speculation regard- ing the pursuit of an overseas player for next season, and to end un- settling gossip about the immediate future of Rob Bailey, the captain, Coverdale announced that no offer has been made to Shane Warne or any individual representing his interests. Fur- thermore, Saturday`s meeting at Lord`s between the club`s chief coach, John Emburey, and the Australian was merely an exten- sion of interest first expressed two years ago. That talk of Warne, or anyone else, having been offered the captaincy was "utter nonsense" which was deeply upsetting to Bailey and his family and unsettled the dressing-room. "Captaincy appointment is an annual commission. It`s not an issue at the present time and will not be discussed before the end of the season. Meanwhile, Rob Bailey is doing a fine job and all should rally round him." The fact remains that Northamptonshire are seeking an overseas player who ideally, says Coverdale, should "represent the focal point of the county`s attack". Warne may well fulfil such a role. So, too, though would Anil Kumble, who in 1995, claimed 105 wickets for them and, of course, Curtly Ambrose, whose record in disparate seasons since 1990 is also formidable. Significantly, perhaps, Coverdale is at pains to point out that the two overseas countries unlikely to be affected by tours during next summer`s championship campaign are India and West In- dies. In the meantime, on a new blameless pitch, Northamptonshire`s current attack were having a bad day against Darren Bicknell, a superb 162, Adam Hollioake, run out for 81, and Alistair Brown, still there on 63 and apparently brimming with runs. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Brown hits 170 as Surrey take control By Doug Ibbotson at Northampton Second day of four: Northants (154-1) trail Surrey (581-7 dec) by 427 runs ALAN FORDHAM, making his first championship appearance for al- most a year, and Russell Warren brought comfort to shell- shocked Northants with a defiant century stand against Surrey at Wantage Road. They came together when opener David Roberts lost his off stump during a menacing spell by Chris Lewis and were still there at the close; Fordham on 69 and Warren on 56. Much has still to be done to overcome the anxieties of a Northants side sorely troubled by deficiencies in the bowling depart- ment. This was echoed in the overtures of the day`s play as Paul Taylor and Mohammad Akram, who within the first 45 minutes of day one had conceded a half-century partnership, were now hit for 50 with- in 40 minutes. It was a particularly disastrous performance by Akram who, as overnight incumbents Alistair Brown and Ben Hollioake complet- ed a century stand in 21 overs, was on the way to becoming the first of four Northants bowlers to be dispatched for 100 runs. It must have dawned on the Pakistani that his chances of re- engagement as the county`s overseas player are virtually nil. Certainly his bowling reflected the sentiment. His first over of the day featured five balls down the leg side, one of them a wide, and another, the only one properly within reach, smitten to the square-leg boundary by Hollioake - and all this with the new ball. Against popular expectation, Hollioake was the pacemaker in this particular phase of play. While his normally explosive part- ner mustered a modest eight the captain`s younger brother raised 31. The fifth-wicket romp ended with the day`s first bowling change when Hollioake, attempting a huge on-side drive, mis- cued Scott Boswell`s opening delivery to Fordham at mid-off. His disappointment at departing for 49 was manifest in a slow trudge towards the pavilion. Lewis then began batting briskly but he, too, looked less than enchanted when Tony Penberthy took a stunning return catch, toe-cap high. Indeed, Penberthy was to confirm his excellence in the field when, with a direct hit from mid-off, he dismissed Jonathan Bat- ty - his second run-out of the innings. For Brown, meanwhile, it was business as usual. When, after the loss of 28 overs through rain, Surrey declared, Brown, who became the first player last weekend to score a Sunday league double century, had reached 170, just 17 short of his career best. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Penberthy misses out on century By Doug Ibbotson at Northampton Third day of four: Northants (401 & 48-0) trail Surrey (581-7 dec) by 132 runs AT Lord`s in 1953 Willie Watson and Trevor Bailey defied Aus- tralia nearly all day to save the second Test and establish a plat- form for England to win the series. Regrettably, rearguard actions are seldom charged with such importance or atmosphere. It was not expected, then, that Northamptonshire`s quest for 432 to avoid the prospect of a follow-on at Wantage Road would prove a riot of mirth and enter- tainment. But as Northants struggled to within 31 runs of the objective, there was plenty of grit, notably from Tony Penberthy, who com- piled a magnificent innings only four runs short of what would have been a maiden championship century. It endured for almost 4.5 hours, contained 12 fours and with- stood a deal of hostile bowling, not least from Chris Lewis, who twice inflicted GBH on Paul Taylor. Lewis played a significant, un- settling role with excellent figures of three for 31 off 20 overs. There seemed some hope of a Northants escape when the day be- gan at 154 for one. But when the incumbents, Alan Fordham and Russell Warren, departed with 72 apiece, and Rob Bailey went for 12 followed quickly by David Sales, a rapid demise seemed im- minent. Enter Jeremy Snape to join Penberthy for a century partner- ship, before Snape fell for 52. But Penberthy pressed on, shedding David Ripley and Taylor, before, at 399 for nine, he edged Joey Benjamin to Martin Bicknell at slip. The immediate cause was lost but, following on 180 behind, Northants reached 48 without loss. Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/) Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com)