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County Championship: Surrey wrap up 10-wicket win against Essex to move closer to title

Last updated on .From the section Countiescomments82

Morne Morkel celebrates a wicket for Surrey in Essex's second innings
Surrey's ninth win of the season means they need just 30 more points from their final three games to secure the title
Specsavers County Championship Division One, Cloudfm County Ground (day three):
Surrey 351: Burns 90, Elgar 75 & 2-0
Essex 126 & 226: Bopara 81*; Clarke 4-47, Morkel 3-68
Surrey (22 pts) beat Essex (2 pts) by 10 wickets
Scorecard

Surrey moved a step closer to their first County Championship title since 2002 with a 10-wicket victory against holders Essex in Chelmsford.

Resuming on 13-0 in their follow-on, Essex were dismissed for 226 as they narrowly forced Surrey to bat again.

All-rounder Rikki Clarke took 4-47 to end with match figures of 8-75.

Surrey now have a 43-point lead over second-placed Somerset and need just 30 more points from their remaining three matches to be crowned champions.

They could even secure the title as early as next week when they travel to bottom side Worcestershire and Somerset take on Hampshire, who are also looking for valuable points to stave off relegation.

Surrey's ninth win in 11 matches and their eighth in a row came inside three days and left last year's champions Essex still nervously looking over their shoulders in their bid to secure Division One survival.

After five wickets fell before lunch, Ravi Bopara (81 not out) offered some resistance against the in-form Surrey seam attack.

He ensured Essex avoided an innings defeat, setting the visitors a target of just two, sharing a 53-run partnership with wicketkeeper Michael Pepper (21) for the sixth wicket and then adding 51 with Jamie Porter (31) for the ninth.

Rory Burns needed just four balls to knock off the two runs required for victory after tea.

Essex batsman Ravi Bopara:

"We were outplayed from day one by a very, very good Surrey team. They do the basics very well, with a strong bowling and batting line-up.

"It helps when you've got players in form as well and they gritted out the first session and hung in there despite us bowling well.

"I think we had the conditions bowling first, but it didn't happen for us with the ball.

"Surrey look in the same mindset as we did last year, where you turn up and know you're going to perform."

Surrey captain Rory Burns told BBC Radio London:

"A very good performance. Again making a side follow-on was very impressive in the way we did it and how the bowlers put their hands up.

"We made an above par score batting first in the end and rode our luck in tough conditions. It was a wicket you never felt in on and it was hard work.

"To get the 10 wickets today when the pitch was slowing down was mightily impressive.

"It's hard not to have a look at the table. But at the end of the day, you've just got to keep putting in hard sessions of cricket and put wins on the board, so that's our main focus."

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82 comments

  • Comment posted by D1679301751159, at 18:42 6 Sep 2018

    Rory Burns leading his side to glory with the bat and the captaincy. Leading from the front and good in the slips. Yet can’t get in the England side over Jennings. Frankly ridiculous.

  • Comment posted by Siobhanclaire92, at 16:56 6 Sep 2018

    @ Rory Burns, Mark Stoneman, Ben Foakes, Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Amar Virdi, Rikki Clarke, Jade Dernbach, Ryan Patel & Will Jacks not enough for you? Surrey have plenty of English talent in their team.

  • Comment posted by Laika, at 16:49 6 Sep 2018

    Another early win for the deserved champions elect. The battle to avoid relegation stays as tight as ever still.

  • Comment posted by Jim Carrington, at 18:18 6 Sep 2018

    You can't really accuse Surrey of not giving local young players a chance! Virdi, Pope, Curran (s and t), Jacks, Patel and McKerr all young and came through the system.

  • Comment posted by bean43, at 17:45 6 Sep 2018

    Surrey's wins this season have been crushing. At least 5 wins by an innings.

  • Comment posted by Linton78, at 17:47 6 Sep 2018

    As a Surrey member for the past 20 years, this is quite simply as good as it gets.

    We haven’t just beaten sides narrowly, most very good sides like Essex have been brushed aside within 3 days.

    I can see the last three games being wins and this Surrey side having the chance to go down in history as one of the finest championship winners ever.

  • Comment posted by Its Better With Arteta, at 17:38 6 Sep 2018

    A great mix of youth (Burns,Foakes,Curran x2,Pope,Jacks,Virdi,McKerr) combined with the experience of Clarke,Morkel (and Elgar for part of the season )has proved a winning combination. Add the late cameo by out of form Stoneman and Dernbach’s gritty determination throughout and it has been a great season for Surrey.

  • Comment posted by matt1985, at 17:34 6 Sep 2018

    Well done to Surrey who have, by far, been the best side in the County Championship this season. It would, though, be nice to see a team win the CC without any Kolpak players in the side.

  • Comment posted by User0298310225, at 21:03 6 Sep 2018

    When Rikki Clarke looks back on his career boy has he made the most of the skills he has. Fair play to him. Burns deserves a shot in the England team for sure his runs and leadership skills would surely be welcomed. He may be the mature head we need. Well done Surrey that game at Taunton sadly broke the camels back for Somerset who have been excellent competition. Love Tresco still going.

  • Comment posted by Gedders, at 21:06 6 Sep 2018

    Surrey have a number of unfair advantages - good English qualified youngsters in abundance, an excellent 37 year old all rounder who has been outstanding and probably the best overseas cricketer.
    Add to that the geographical advantages and their financial acumen then they should be made to start with minus 50 points!

    Seriously though well done Surrey. A class above the rest!

  • Comment posted by davey bones, at 17:23 6 Sep 2018

    Very disappointed with Essex's defence of their title, too many players nearing the end of their careers.

  • Comment posted by First Test attended 1955, at 00:12 7 Sep 2018

    As a Surrey supporter for over 60 years, 1955 in fact, this has been a tremendous year, surprised no one has mentioned all done without the wonderful Kumar, but how much did he help the youngsters? Saw Morne interviewed on Sky after SA had thrashed the vile Aussies, the guy seems a gent, how much help will he have been to the Currans and McKerr. Sad little opportunity for Meaker. As for Sibley! !!

  • Comment posted by Gadders72, at 17:31 6 Sep 2018

    Essex really need a big kick up the backside, too many have become complacent, perhaps time for some of the ‘so called’ big players to be dropped eg Westley

  • Comment posted by Salgoud, at 19:42 6 Sep 2018

    22. Hello jchanin. Surrey are not replacing Riki Clarke believe me! 43 wickets and lots of runs and counting. Despite being 37 he's a much better red ball all rounder than any of England's middle order. Jordan Clarke is being added to the squad for next season. This team has the best bowling attack in the country just now.

  • Comment posted by The Holy Hooker, at 23:10 6 Sep 2018

    Well done you Brown Caps. Good to see a home-grown talent like Rikki Clarke flourishing again at the Oval. Wonder if Dom Sibley is as pleased with his move?

  • Comment posted by starhootsman, at 22:23 6 Sep 2018

    A great season for Surrey , its been a long while since winning the County Championship and we've had some tough times but been some great performances throughout the side . We've had many lean years but I still tend to reflect on the seventies , Mickey Stewart , John Edrich , GG , Inty , Patsy, Graham Roope, Robin Jackman, Monte Lynch . Don't begrudge us it will likely be someone else next year

  • Comment posted by lillywhite , at 20:01 6 Sep 2018

    Developing young British talent ...crickets version of Tottenham Hotspur...in Stewie and Mo Po we trust !

  • Comment posted by Siobhanclaire92, at 21:09 6 Sep 2018

    @ 32 - so you can’t take holidays abroad? Yes Surrey are one of the richest counties, but they always have good crowds at T20 and one day cups, and will always sell out their test days, unlike some other counties whose have shameful crowds.

  • Comment posted by jchanin, at 19:17 6 Sep 2018

    Feel sorry for Rikki Clarke. Played brilliantly for a season and a half since his return, and rewarded by Surrey recruiting Clark from Lancashire to replace him.

  • Comment posted by joeyp1978, at 20:33 6 Sep 2018

    Surrey doing well but its interesting how Morkel retired from SA to spend more time with his family but has spent the whole season playing county cricket.

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