Slow going for Yorkshire at The Oval

It was a day of slow progress by Yorkshire batsmen as they reached 179 for five from 85 overs at stumps at the AMP Oval. On a slow pitch they were tied down by some accurate Surrey bowling, the most economical of which came from Saqlain Mushtaq.

He conceded 13 runs, including three boundaries, in his first two overs and then found his line and length to bowl the next 31 for only 33 runs with just one hit for four. The Pakistan spinner was unlucky to finish without a wicket despite beating the bat time and again, finding considerable turn off the pitch.

David Byas, in particular, found him difficult to get away, managing only 24 runs in two hours at the crease. When he did attempt to go for his shots - during Surrey's double spin attack, with Ian Salisbury being brought on - he was soon dismissed, bowled by the leg-spinner while attempting a sweep.

That was the fifth wicket to fall, half an hour before bad light ended the day's proceedings with, perhaps, time left for just one more over. Anthony McGrath remained unbeaten with 69 from 194 balls. It was his first fifty of the season having missed about six weeks of it through injury.

Twenty overs were lost from the day's play earlier after rain had fallen steadily during the lunch break and when play resumed at 2.45pm Surrey were quick to claim two wickets. Martin Bicknell took them both in successive balls with the total on 99.

Matthew Wood, who had batted so well for his 110-ball fifty, with five boundaries, was snapped up at first slip and Vic Craven was trapped lbw.

During the rain-shortened second session Yorkshire added 31 to their lunch score to reach 123 for four.

While this match may not be much more than of academic interest to Yorkshire who have already won the Cricinfo Championship title, it is vitally important for Surrey in their attempt to avoid relegation.

Having been asked to bowl first on a cloudy morning, the London side began reasonably well, claiming two wickets for 64. Bicknell, in the 13th over, had Chris Taylor lbw for seven with the total 34 and ten overs later, Ed Giddens, having changed ends, had Michael Vaughan edge to second slip for 11.

Wood, meanwhile, scored steadily. He drove Saqlain for four to extra-cover in the first over from the off-spinner and in his next over he took another boundary, this time with a drive to mid-wicket.

He reached 44 with a straight hit for four off Ben Hollioake who conceded another boundary in that over, his first, when Anthony McGrath square cut him. At lunch Wood was on 46 and McGrath, who was 17, later progressed to 29 by tea. In the final session he added a further 40 to his score.