Surrey Durham Day 1

Day 1 Lunch Surrey won the toss and elected to bat, Butcher started with a pair of sparkling boundaries - one in each of Brown's first two overs but, at the end of Steve Harmison's second over from the Vauxhall end the players came off for bad light, as usual for a first class game there was little in the way of explanation to those who had bothered to turn up and support the game, the reason for the break was not apparent until the umpire's took their light meters out in easy sight during their inspections. A simple explanation would go some way towards appeasing the county game's supporters.

Thirteen overs were initially lost and a little light drizzle fell in that time but not enough to cause a problem in itself, shortly after the resumption was announced though the light worsened again, once again a day of musical covers looked likely. A period of cat and mouse with the weather was brought to an end by heavier rain and a decision to take lunch early.

Tea Day 1

Ward and Butcher continued to make good progress - aided to no small extent by some abysmal short deliveries often wide outside leg stump from Steve Harmison. Harmison bowled well in this fixture last year but has had continual control problems this season and today presented a challenge beyond the talents of any wicket keeper as extras raced into the thirties before either batsman. Kileen performed well and Brown bowled cannily but despite some movement only a few deliveries beat the edge.

Close of Play Day 1 The evening session was played under a bright, sunny sky, ideally suited to Surrey's aim of scoring maximum points to guarantee the retention of their crown, but sadly auguring ill for their visitors. Though the Durham bowlers toiled they did so to no avail, the occasional ball passed the edge and the home team were never able to cut completely loose but they never lost control. Only towards the end of the day did Butcher and Ward give some hope to Durham by taking some dangerous singles - one of which was just inches, or possible a tv replay (not available for this game) from causing a run out. The two brought up their centuries from consecutive balls and are now just two runs from Surrey's record stand against Durham. The pitch had played well and the outfield was quickening again after the earlier showers.

Play ended promptly at 6:00pm in perfect conditions despite the loss of twenty eight overs and the presence of some Durham supporters who had made the long and expensive journey to the Oval for their last first division game until at least 2002. The rules for the County Championship are, in this respect, bad for cricket and bad for spectators and in desperate need of reform.