GUILDFORD (second day of four): Surrey 347-8 v Worcestershire
The Worcestershire attack suffered again at the hands of Mark Ramprakash who scored a chanceless 142, his 93rd first class century, as rain restricted the second day here to only 50 overs.
But they fought back in a 12-over final session, taking three wickets including that of Ramprakash, to give themselves hope in a match they desperately need to win if they are to have any chance of avoiding relegation.
They have yet to win in the Championship this year and will have to rely on having two rain-free days and probably a declaration if they are to break their duck against opponents equally as keen to gain a victory.
The rain caused a delay of three and three-quarter hours and, when play restarted in bright sunshine, Kabir Ali, the pick of the Worcestershire bowlers and who has three for 95, had Richard Clinton leg-before without scoring, and Roger Sillence had Chris Schofield caught at slip.
Crucially, Ramprakash was dismissed by Gareth Batty (three for 88) shortly before the close.
Steve Rhodes, the Worcestershire director of cricket, said: "The difference between the sides on the scoreboard has been Mark Ramprakash - he played brilliantly. Without his runs it would have been a different story.
"We'll have to see how the weather unfolds over the next couple of days."
After five weeks of inactivity in four-day cricket the Worcestershire bowlers were entitled to be ring-rusty but Ramprakash is in such golden form that he could score runs against anyone. Yesterday was no exception.
Although captain Vikram Solanki rotated the bowlers they never looked like shifting him until he was out near the close.
At the other end, however, Worcestershire took three wickets in the first session, Kabir taking two and Dewald Nel the other.
Kabir struck in the 11th over of the day when he had Mark Butcher caught behind for 46 to end a partnership of 98 with Ramprakash.
Nel tricked Stewart Walters into playing on when he was trying to withdraw his bat and Kabir, with the new ball, induced a miscued pull from Rikki Clarke to Solanki who ran from mid-off and narrowly avoided colliding with Bollinger who was moving from mid-on.
Ramprakash was unruffled as he moved towards three figures. He lofted Batty twice over the mid-wicket fence and his century arrived when he flicked Bollinger for two. His century, from 174 balls and containing ten fours and two sixes, was his ninth in his last 17 innings against Worcestershire - for Middlesex and Surrey.
Five have come in his last seven innings.
In all, Ramprakash faced 223 balls and hit 14 fours and three sixes before, sweeping Batty, he was caught behind.
The torrential rain did not do the fielding side any favours as the outfield was still damp when play resumed and Kabir had to go off after dismissing Clinton, complaining of a headache, although he was soon back on the pitch.
