Tudor blitzes Northants to leave Surrey in charge

Surrey began their belated move up the CricInfo Championship Division One table today at Guildford thanks to a devastating burst of 5-3 off 31 balls by England discard Alex Tudor.

Seven Northants wickets fell for five runs as they capitulated to the bounce and seam of the 23-year-old ex-England paceman. Suddenly a comfortable 115-3 became 120 all out as win-less Northants' decision to bat backfired in the hour after lunch.

Tudor told CricInfo: "The wicket helped me and I put the ball in the right areas so I'm delighted. The big three - me, Giddins and Bicknell - led by example."

He continued: "I try not to think too far ahead but if I can perform for Surrey and that gives me England recognition then so be it."

Surrey, minus five Enmgland players, capitalised reaching 209-5 at stumps with 20-year-old stand-in Michael Carberry stroking a career-best 46 with six fours off 102 balls.

Northants had begun promisingly with 6ft 5in Adrian Rollins pulling 6ft 4in Tudor for two powerful sixes but Ed Giddins, who took 3-18 off 17 overs, removed Mike Hussey and Russell Warren as well as catching Rollins before lunch.

After the post-interval havoc Surrey settled down to reach 76-0 at tea. This was extended by 133 runs at the 7.10 finish, mainly thanks to Adam Hollioake (47 off 58 balls) and Ally Brown (55no including 50 off 53 balls).

Mike Strong took three of the five wickets to fall bowling from the Railway End where Tudor had earlier done the damage.