Sussex held by stubborn Surrey

Sussex drew at the Oval after Surrey’s batsmen patiently played out the final day of their LV County Championship fixture today (Saturday 27 April).

Play was punctuated by a few light showers as skipper Graeme Smith, Vikram Solanki and Gary Wilson helped Surrey to 308 for 5 before declaring.

At this point, with Surrey 133 runs in front, Smith and his Sussex counterpart Ed Joyce shook hands for the draw.

Smith fell after scoring just three runs in the first innings, shortly after winning the toss and choosing to bat.

In the second innings he managed a more respectable 67 although fellow opener Rory Burns went for seven.

James Anyon claimed three first innings wickets for 86 runs, Chris Jordan took 5 for 92 and Steve Magoffin 2 for 74 as Surrey notched up 351.

Luke Wells racked up a double century as Sussex replied with 526. He batted for nearly nine hours and smashed one six and 26 fours as he made 208 runs before being bowled by Solanki.

Gareth Batty left Joyce two runs short of a century – one of three Sussex wickets that he claimed at a cost of 174 runs. Timothy Linley took 3 for 82.

Matt Prior helped Sussex to a handsome first innings lead with a knock of 62 runs off 60 balls.

After a shaky start Surrey played a steady second innings. Wilson spent more than three hours at the crease and Solanki almost as long before he was caught by Jordan off Wells who took 2 for 44.

Sussex earned nine points and Surrey eight points putting Sussex second in the table ahead of their next County Championship match on Wednesday (1 May) when Warwickshire come to Hove.