Lancs - Surrey lunch

SURREY seemed to be suffering from a Championship hangover at Old Trafford today. They struggled to 111 for five in reply to Lancashire's first innings total of 324 after the start had been delayed by an hour by rain.

Adam Hollioake gave the newly-crowned champions a flying start when they resumed on 28 for two, scoring 49 from 39 balls with nine fours. The Surrey skipper looked determined to improve on a disappointing personal season with only three Championship half centuries but was bowled in Mike Smethurst's second over.

Ian Ward, who was dropped on 21 by Sourav Ganguly at third slip, failed to capitalise as he added only seven more runs before driving loosely at Glen Chapple and edging to Warren Hegg.

Lancashire spurned another chance when Graham Lloyd dropped Gary Butcher at first slip off Chapple but the introduction of Chris Schofield for the last over before lunch brought a fifth wicket. Ally Brown hit the former England leg-spinner for two boundaries but then drove a catch to Lloyd at cover, leaving Surrey with a fight to avoid the follow-on.