On the opening day of the Vitality County Championship Division One match at the Kia Oval, Surrey put themselves in a commanding position as they restricted Durham to 262 and responded with a solid 52-0 by stumps.
Durham's innings was highlighted by an unbeaten 78 from Colin Ackermann, who was left stranded as Surrey's Dan Worrall picked up two crucial wickets in quick succession, ending with impressive figures of 4-39.
In reply, Surrey's Rory Burns quickly capitalised on some loose early bowling, smashing a six and seven fours to remain unbeaten on 40. Burns also reached a milestone, completing 1,000 Championship runs for the season.
Surrey, who lead Division One by eight points over second-placed Somerset, reduced Durham to 134-5 after electing to bowl first. Durham had a solid start from Alex Lees and Ben McKinney, with a 60-run opening partnership, but Worrall's second spell broke through. McKinney dismissed for 23, edged a ball to Ben Foakes, while Lees, after surviving a Sam Curran no-ball, was bowled for 36 by a late-moving delivery.
Tom Curran trapped debutant Emilio Gay lbw for a duck, and despite a solid 51-run partnership between David Bedingham (37) and Ollie Robinson (17), Surrey’s bowlers kept up the pressure. Jordan Clark and Tom Lawes made crucial breakthroughs, dismissing Robinson and Bedingham with well-placed deliveries.
Bas de Leede’s aggressive 36 helped add 70 runs for the fifth wicket alongside Ackermann, but his dismissal after mistiming a pull shot left Durham in trouble. Sam Curran’s removal of Callum Parkinson for one and Worrall's late strikes wrapped up the tail, with Daniel Hogg and James Minto offering some resistance before Durham was all out for 262.
By the end of day one, Surrey trailed Durham by 210 runs but with no wickets lost, they held a clear advantage heading into the next day's play.
Match Summary:
- Durham: 262 (Ackermann 78, Worrall 4-39)
- Surrey: 52-0 (Burns 40)
- Surrey (3 points) trail Durham (1 point) by 210 runs