Mark Butcher and Mark Ramprakash picked up from where they left off today at Hove as the pair put Surrey in a commanding position at the end of day two.

The two put on 403 for the third wicket, a record for Surrey against Sussex, to help the visitors reach a mammoth 626-3 as they declared shortly before tea.

Ramprakash finished the innings on 266 not out which included 31 boundaries and three sixes, while his captain made a majestic 179. Ali Brown also chipped in with a quick fire 50 from just 47 balls.

After the ten minute break between innings the home side lost their first wicket to the very first ball of their innings as Carl Hopkinson was adjudged lbw off the bowling of Matt Nicholson, but since that setback, the hosts fought back strongly to end the day at 109 for one.

In the first two sessions, the two Marks batted superbly, with runs being picked up at will. Team mates batting any lower than five in the order, must now be wondering when they will get their chance out in the middle with the top order firing as they are. In the last two LV County Championship innings, Surrey has now scored over 1000 runs for the loss of just four wickets. Rikki Clarke, who was due to come in today at number six has now not had a hit in a match for over two weeks.

However, despite the batting prowess that Surrey now boasts, a Championship victory still eludes them and while they are playing some excellent cricket in this match, it will be extremely difficult to take a further 19 wickets to force a win on what is now a great pitch to bat on.

The Surrey bowlers tried very hard to force the issue but with little assistance in the air or off the pitch, Mark Butcher’s men will have their work cut out in trying to get their first win of the season in the four day game.

Mushtaq, one of the County game’s most prolific spinners in recent times, found it extremely hard to trouble any of the Surrey batsman, as he went for the unflattering figures of 1-178 from 35 overs.

Surrey can only hope that days three and four should bring about more wear and tear in the pitch, helping the likes of Ian Salisbury and Nayan Doshi generate more turn. Both men have experienced success bowling here before and if Surrey are to have any chance in this game, they must look to get early wickets tomorrow with the view to bowling Sussex out before the close tomorrow. With a lot of work expected for the Brown Caps on day three, the spin duo will need to get through plenty of their own to increase the seamers’ effectiveness when they look to bowl in short and sharp spells.

Play will resume at 11am tomorrow.

For any Surrey supporters wishing to travel to Cresselly for the Friends Provident Glamorgan match on 28 May, they are strongly advised to contact the Glamorgan County Cricket Club ticket office on 0871 282 3400 to buy their tickets. The Club have reported that there are limited tickets available. Ticket prices are £15 for adults and £8 for Under 16's.

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