A fantastic unbroken partnership of 104 runs between Mark Butcher and Rikki Clarke saw Surrey past the Durham target of 152 and as such to the side’s first victory in the LV County Championship this season.

In overcast conditions, Surrey were aware that Durham and England fast bowler Steve Harmison was going to be a handful. The tall quick did not disappoint as he used the conditions and the almost new ball to good effect.

He had Stewart Walters caught at third slip in the fourth over of the day and then proceeded to give the incoming batsman Clarke a serious working over. Surrey’s all rounder weathered the storm very well as he at times put his body on the line to negate the slips and short leg.

Meanwhile Butcher was playing in his typical fashion, not giving anything away but at the same time seizing on the bad ball and tucking it away to the boundary with minimal effort. The pair ran brilliantly between the wickets to rotate the strike and when Harmison came off the Durham bowling seemingly lost its edge.

Clarke started to express himself as the required total was reduced to below 50 runs. He played shots off both the front and back foot, striking the ball through the covers beautifully.

It became evident that as time went on and no wickets fell, Durham realised that the game was slipping away. As a result, even with the return of Harmison the home team finished off the chase at a canter, with Butcher finishing 40 not out and Clarke unbeaten on 68.

Surrey TV spoke to Butcher at the end of the play, so if you would like to hear his thoughts on his side’s first LV Championship win of the season, click here.

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