Surrey in charge despite Taylor's debut half century

LV County Championship Division One, Grace Road
Close of play, day one: Leicestershire 167, Surrey 122-2
Surrey 3pts
Match scorecard
Live commentary

Youngster Rob Taylor struck an impressive half century on his Leicestershire debut, but Surrey ended the first day in charge at Grace Road.

Tim Linley led the way with 3-22 as Leicestershire were bowled out for 167, Taylor top scoring with an obdurate 70 from 130 balls.

England one-day international Steven Davies then took charge, reaching 54 not out by the close.

Surrey stand on 122-2 going into the second day, just 45 runs in arrears.

Surrey included India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for his debut after signing as their second overseas player only 24 hours earlier.

With James Taylor on England one-day international duty and Andrew McDonald, Josh Cobb and Wayne White all rested ahead of Saturday's Twenty20 finals day, Leicestershire gave debuts to both Rob Taylor and 22-year-old Ned Eckersley, as well as bringing in 17-year-old Shiv Thakor for his second Championship game.

Former Harrow schoolboy Taylor, 21, hit an unbeaten century for Loughborough University against Leicestershire earlier.

And he was the only batsman to offer any resistance, the extras column being the next highest scorer in their innings, adding 24 runs to the home side's meagre total.

The young left-hander showed his quality and potential with some good-looking attacking shots and solid defence, an on drive to the ropes bringing up his 50 off Zander de Bruyn.

CLOSE OF PLAY SUMMARY

BBC London 94.9's Mark Church:

"Surrey will be very pleased with their efforts after the first day at Grace Road.

"On his Surrey debut, Pragyan Ojha bowled very nicely from the Pavillion End and picked up the final two Leicestershire wickets.

"Steven Davies will look to push Surrey forward on the second day as they look to score enough runs to give Ojha the opportunity to put Leicestershire under pressure when they bat again."