Game: Yorkshire v Surrey, Britannic Assurance County Championship
Date: July 19-21, 1986
Venue: Headingley
Stage of the season: 14th of 24 games
Teams:
Yorkshire: G Boycott, MD Moxon, AA Metcalfe, K Sharp, SN Hartley, DL Bairstow c&w, P Carrick, IG Swallow, C Shaw, PW Jarvis, SJ Dennis
Surrey: NJ Falkner, GS Clinton, AJ Stewart, MA Lynch, TE Jesty, CJ Richards w, G Monkhouse, KT Medlycott, RJ Doughty, AH Gray, PI Pocock c
Toss: Surrey won it and decided to bat first
Summary:
These two giants of county cricket had been without a Championship title between them for more than a decade. Yorkshire had not won the pennant since 1968 and Surrey since 1971. And this season was to add to that tally. But they produced a memorable clash at Headingley, one which the White Rose county won thanks to a late and brisk run chase late on the third and final day. After Surrey elected to bat, new ball pair Paul Jarvis and Simon Dennis claimed three wickets apiece, while the left-arm spin of Phil Carrick later matched them, as the visitors were bowled out for 269 on day one – Alec Stewart hitting 90. In reply, a landmark unbeaten 135 from Geoffrey Boycott underpinned a reply of 307-6 declared, also including Kevin Sharp’s 76. The declaration came late on the second day as skipper David Bairstow chased a fourth win of the season. His timing proved spot on, with Surrey reduced to 3-3 before close, paving the way for a thrilling finale. Surrey were prised out for 171, with Jarvis the star with a career best 7-55, setting the hosts a target of 134 after tea. Opener Boycott dropped down the order and was replaced by Ashley Metcalfe alongside Martyn Moxon, who laid the platform with a 36-run stand. Metcalfe, Sharp and Neil Hartley all fell for the addition of 33 runs, only for skipper Bairstow to hit a swashbuckling 44 not out to seal a 23-point haul in the nick of time. Moxon finished unbeaten on 42. Yorkshire finished 10th in the table and Surrey third.
