Derbyshire v Surrey: Ponting's debut match abandoned due to heavy showers

Ricky Ponting would be extremely disappointed as he didn’t get an opportunity to bat for Surrey on his debut. He was brought in as replacement for the injured Graeme Smith. The start was delayed by three hours due to heavy showers. The match was reduced to 19-over per side. Surrey openers Jason Roy and Davies provided them prolific start as the duo put on 97 runs for first wicket in just 8 overs. The rain stopped the proceedings soon afterwards and the play was called-off eventually due to heavy rain.

Davies and Jason Roy made the most of poor bowling from Derbyshire. Mark Footitt was so expensive as he was constantly testing the batsmen with short-pitched deliveries, on a wicket that seemed to be on the slower-side. He was clobbered for 27 runs off his two overs. Also, Mark Taylor was taken for runs without difficulty as Surrey rose to 49 runs off the first four overs.

Jason Roy was as devastating as he plundered 23 runs off Alex Hughes first over to up the ante. But Peter Burgoyne provided the breakthrough for Derbyshire as he got rid of the dangerous Davies for 50 off just 21 balls.

Azhar Mahmood came to bat at number three ahead of Ricky Ponting. However, he was able to face only four balls as heavy showers stopped the proceedings for Surrey. Although the weather improved at 9.30 p.m, another showers forced the umpires Michael Gough and Neil Bainton to abandon the play.