By Mark Caswell
SURREY CONTINUED their impressive march towards the County Championship by beating third-place Essex by ten wickets this week, their eighth consecutive victory.
One would think the coaches of the other seven counties would think it might be a good idea to bat first against Surrey. But, again, the toss was uncontested and Surrey batted first for the eighth consecutive game.
And Surrey’s match-winning total this time of 351 was more than enough on a used late-season wicket with an unpredictable bounce.
Captain Rory Burns completed 1000 runs in the season while compiling a top-score 90. Dean Elgar (75) and man of the match Rikki Clarke, weighing in with 56, were the other main contributors.
Clarke, one of the best signings in County Cricket this season, was virtually unplayable with match figures of 8-75, and he was well-supported by Morne Morkel and Tom Curran.
Surrey require one win from their last three matches to clinch the title for the first time since 2002. Worcestershire, second-place Somerset and Essex await.
Result: Surrey CCC 351 & 2-0 vs. Essex 126 & 226