A CROWD of about 2,000 left the County Ground in a state approaching shock after Gloucestershire suffered their first defeat in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy since July 2002. The run of 11 wins since stemmed from the instinct to capitalise on any slight advantage, but yesterday they allowed Surrey to wriggle off the hook.

Rikki Clarke was dropped by Steve Adshead on 36 and proceeded to finish unbeaten on 62 when he worked the third ball of the final over to the long-leg boundary. Two balls earlier, Jon Lewis had allowed a similar shot to squirt through his legs so that Clarke, whose innings showed encouraging maturity, was able to run four instead of one.

Lewis had also conceded a six to Martin Bicknell from the first ball of the 49th over, to bring the run-rate down to one per ball, meaning a humbling climax for the bowler who could make his England debut at Lord’s in eight days’ time. Frustration, too, for Graham Thorpe, who scored only 13 from 24 balls on his return from a back injury.

Gloucestershire have won the 50-overs competition four times in the past six seasons, but the switch to a white ball this year has not suited their bowling attack. Chris Taylor helped to stabilise the innings after Tim Murtagh and Bicknell made good use of the new ball and the steady fall of wickets meant that Alex Gidman played within himself during the closing ten overs. Even so, the total of 230 was defendable by Gloucestershire’s standards.

A victory for the home team seemed likely when Mark Hardinges removed Thorpe and Alistair Brown in successive overs with 121 required. However, Mark Ramprakash demonstrated the judgment and quality that have never surprised long-time followers of county cricket. He scored 84 from 105 balls and it was Gloucestershire who buckled.