Hampshire debutant Harry Came in action for St Cross Symondians [Roy Honeybone] St Cross Symondians pair Felix Organ and Harry Came played key roles alongside Liam Dawson as Hampshire salvaged a draw on the final day of their County Championship fixture with hosts Surrey at the Oval.
Dismissed for 367 in their first innings, Hampshire were 212 in arrears after a maiden double century by Ollie Pope (221 not out) took Surrey’s reply to 579-7.
While Ian Holland, James Vince and Sam Northeast perished, so Organ raced to 50 in 55 balls with a six and eight fours. The 20-year-old Canford product looked increasingly confident, but with a second century in as many matches beckoning, he like Northeast, contributed to his own downfall, giving Virdi the charge and missing the ball to be stumped by Foakes.
Hampshire were wobbling at 175-5, but Liam Dawson dug in, finding an ally in Came, who showed great composure for a player making his first appearance six days shy of his 21st birthday as concussion replacement for Aneurin Donald, injured in the field on day three.
Dawson’s 50 came 63 balls to wipe out the arrears and the pair shared a half-century stand in the game’s dying embers. At stumps Dawson was 65 not out and Came unbeaten with 23 off 89 balls.
Hit on the head
Post match Hampshire skipper James Vince said: "“I’m pleased with the way our batsmen fought.
“There were only really two outcomes possible when we came here today, so we got the best we could have hoped for.
“We said runs were important and that if you go into complete survival mode and don’t score your runs you put yourself under unnecessary pressure.
“I thought Felix played really well at the top of the order. It’s the first time I’ve really seen him bat and there’s big potential there.
“Morne (Morkel) hit him on the head first ball of the game, but it didn’t faze him one bit. He played the pace and spin bowlers really well today
“It was good to see Harry Came come in in his first knock in first-team cricket and apply himself as he did. To soak up some pressure against a decent bowling attack was great to see. He’s obviously got a bit about him which is pleasing for us moving forward.
“‘Daws’ (Liam Dawson) just showed his experience really, was still able to score when he could and to blunt their attack as well.”
* Organ and Came expect to be in the St Cross Symondians side for Saturday’s ECB Southern Premier Division match against South Wilts at Bemerton, 12.30.
