Surrey head into this weekend’s clash with Sussex at the Kia Oval still seeking their opening victory of the season in the Rothesay County Championship.
Three matches in which bat has dominated ball – two of them at home – leaves them sixth in the 10-strong competition, although leaders Warwickshire are only 18 points in front and have played a game more.
But a lack of cutting edge in Surrey’s attack troubled them once more, despite the return of England speedster Gus Atkinson for his first outing since last winter’s Ashes series.
This time they had the advantage of winning the toss and choosing to bowl first but Essex – who had lost their two previous matches after starting with a victory – could not be dislodged until they had run up 409, based on an opening stand worth 183 between Dean Elgar (92) and Paul Walter (101).
Once they were separated, the going got a bit easier for Surrey’s bowlers, Noah Thain’s 64 the main obstacle, but a five-strong hand of seamers still needed off-spinner Dan Lawrence to finish the job as he claimed three wickets in six balls.
The hosts were in trouble after Rory Burns (2) and Jamie Smith (5) departed early, Dominic Sibley (101) and Ollie Pope (69) steadily rebuilding before Lawrence increased the tempo. On a ground where he made his maiden Championship century for Essex as a 17-year-old in 2015, he cracked 125 including 15 fours and two sixes. Sibley’s 283-ball stay should maintain his prospects of a Test recall.
Read more
Where to find the best Young’s pub gardens in south west London
Council missed safety warning before 12-year-old’s fatal rope swing accident
Jordan Clark (43), Tom Lawes (36) and Atkinson (21no) earned Surrey a lead of 63 but they really needed a bigger cushion to worry Essex on the final day, even though a generally benevolent pitch was now playing the occasional trick.
Walter departed early on the final day to Atkinson but the hosts badly needed more breakthroughs quickly, missing two opportunities when skipper Tom Westley offered sharp catches on the legside.
He bedded in to make 136 while left-hander Elgar accrued 107no, the 55th first-class century of a career which has included 86 Tests for South Africa.
Their partnership of 197 killed any prospect of Surrey forcing a victory although the contest overall – played in fine and dry weather – drew more than 15,000 spectators over the course of four days, a 21st century Championship record at the ground.
A lack of variation has left Burns short of ammunition as he seeks to win his fifth title, Surrey hoping Dan Worrall will be fit to resume his place at the head of the attack after missing all three matches so far through a calf strain.
All-rounder Cameron Steel has been forced to retire from professional cricket on medical grounds.
The 30-year-old, born in California, arrived at Surrey in 2021 – on loan initially – via circuitous route which saw him becoming Durham’s youngest-ever double-centurion plus a spell with Hampshire.
Steel’s middle-order batting and leg-spin have made him a handy squad player for Surrey, balancing the side and often performing the unglamorous task of filling for more established players. He made 74 appearances, 25 at first-class level.
An acute ankle injury has forced him to quit, though, a sad end for a player popular not just with his team-mates but all staff at The Oval. A talented writer, he has a column in The Times.
Share