Essex put up the shutters

A century from Paul Grayson provided the backbone as Essex fought out a draw against Surrey at the Oval. The county champions were unable to break a resilient, defiant batting display by the visitors who had started the day requiring a further 332 runs for victory with all wickets intact.

Surrey though made an encouraging start with the wickets of Paul Prichard and Darren Robinson in the fifth over of the day to raise their hopes of being able to force their first win of the season in the competition as Martin Bicknell struck twice in three deliveries.

Whilst Stuart Law was at the crease, the visitors retained an interest in pursuing their victory target as the Australian added 103 with Grayson for the third wicket to endorse those hopes. But with his score on 57, Law nicked a delivery from Ian Salisbury to give Alec Stewart his third catch of the innings and Essex decided to put up the shutters.

Grayson then fashioned the draw, his indefatigable studiousness negating the Surrey attack in a compelling contest. He did survive one chance at 73, when Martin Bicknell spilled a mid-wicket catch off the bowling of Ian Salisbury, but thereafter he moved inexorably on to complete his vigilant century having batted for 334 minutes and hit 11 boundaries.

He was finally dismissed in the second over after tea for 115 when surprised by a delivery from Alec Tudor that kept low and rattled middle stump but his fourth wicket partnership with Ronnie Irani that occupied 34 overs whilst realising 73 runs had virtually ensured the draw for his side.

Irani then assumed the dominant, impassive role and found a staunch ally in Stephen Peters who resisted further vain efforts from Alec Stewart's side to find another breakthrough.