Brad Hogg justified Warwickshire's faith in him by stroking a swift half-century to help his side dominate the opening day of their champion-ship match against Surrey. Hogg's place in the side had come under scrutiny but a pitch tailor-made for spin bowling and Nick Knight's faith in the Australian's all-round talents ensured he retained his place. Hogg repaid Warwickshire's loyalty with an aggressive innings as his side capitalised on the foundations laid with such care by Jim Troughton and Jon Trott. Hogg produced by far the most fluent batting of an absorbing day. Driving sweetly off the front foot, and thumping the short ball through point, he brought up his half-century (48 balls) with his ninth four, a characteristic punch off the back foot, and made sure Warwick-shire did not squander winning the toss. It was a vital toss. This pitch has already had two days' use in recent one-day matches and there were some concerns as to how it would play. Although it assisted the slow bowlers (spin accounted for 52 overs yesterday) it did not misbehave. The amount of turn will merely increase, however, and batting fourth is likely to prove taxing, particularly with both sides fielding two spinners good enough to have played international cricket. Surrey, strong enough to leave players such as Ally Brown and Rikki Clarke out of their side, may reflect that they were unfortunate with the toss. But much of their undoing was in their own hands. Hogg and Troughton were missed in the slip cordon when in single figures while their ground-fielding appeared to lack commitment. At 71 for three, Warwickshire were in danger of wasting the opportunity to bat first. But a patient stand of 119 between Troughton and Trott earned the initiative, which Hogg rammed home late in the day in dominating half-century stands with Dougie Brown and Ashley Giles to leave Warwickshire absolutely on top at the close. Wagh fell early, prodding at a ball that he could have left, before Knight, inching back to form, edged a ball that turned across him from the heavilybearded Saqlain Mushtaq. The big scores have yet to come for Ian Bell this season but he once again looked in fine touch. With the selectors picking the Test side later this week, a big innings here could have pushed him into contention. He looked well-set until chipping to deep mid-wicket. An unworthy end to an innings that promised more. Troughton, short of runs and confidence, his place in the team under some pressure, has yet to score a century since his England call-up 11 months ago. He can face the future with renewed optimism after this gutsy performance, all the more pleasing as he was made to fight hard early in his innings. Given any freedom to swing his arms, Troughton is destructive, but it was his defence that caught the eye as Surrey's bowlers cramped him for room. His 77 (11 fours and a six) occupied 166 balls. Few of his half-centuries can have taken longer. Missed at first slip by Hollioake off Ormond on three, he left the ball with precision thereafter and fed on some loose bowling after lunch as Surrey's seamers failed to maintain the pressure. Trott also enjoyed a moment of fortune, a top-edged hook falling between wicketkeeper and fine leg when he had scored 21, but he again played sensibly and hit 13 boundaries in a 101-ball vigil. Trott's third half-century in three championship innings this season was studded with those familiar rasping cuts and back-foot drives. He may castigate himself for failing to convert these innings into centuries but he has become Warwickshire's most consistent performer. Trott fell pushing forward at the start of a new spell by Saqlain, and Troughton, having just struck a straight six off Salisbury, fell attempting a repeat. But a characteristically fighting innings by Brown (123 balls), content to play a supporting role to Hogg, ensured the advantage was maintained. | 
