Mark Ramprakash looks on course to notch up another century as Surrey will be looking to bat out the final day at Hove. Mark Ramprakash and Scott Newman both hit half-centuries, Ramprakash unbeaten, after Saqlain Mushtaq claimed four to bowl out Sussex for 475.

The overnight pairing of Matthew Prior and James Kirtley resumed on 318 for five and frustrated Surrey early on day three. Prior was equalled in scoring by night watchman Kirtley, who enjoyed sweeping the spin of Usman Afzaal for a couple of boundaries, a shot that would ultimately be his downfall. Jonathan Batty dropped Prior, when on 39, off the bowling of Saqlain Mushtaq, but it was not to be that costly of an error. Prior only added 12 more, passing fifty, before Chris Jordan surprised the Sussex keeper with extra bounce from down the slope at Hove. The batsman top-edging a pull shot to Alistair Brown at point for 51, Sussex 373 for six. The very next over and Saqlian claimed his second wicket when Kirtley tried to sweep and missed a full delivery that struck him on the front pad, LBW for 19. Robin Martin-Jenkins and Luke Wright took their time to edge Sussex past 400 and to maximum batting points, before lunch came with the score on 415 for 7.

After lunch Sussex continued to add to the total. James Ormond took advantage of Wright’s aggression as he fell at mid-off for 20. Then Ollie Rayner came to the crease and wasted no time in trying to up the tempo. With Martin-Jenkins passing a well-played fifty, the pair added 47 for the ninth wicket. Saqlain then had Rayner well caught behind by Batty for 21. Two balls later Saqlain claimed his forth wicket as Jason Lewry lobbed the ball to mid-off, and {error}

Batty survived two very close appeals for LBW in Martin-Jenkins’ first over, but finished it off with a graceful cover drive for four off the sixth ball. Batty and his partner Scott Newman had to be watchful against the early swing from Lewry. However, it was Martin-Jenkins who was third time lucky to have Batty trapped LBW for 17. The Surrey batsman was on the receiving end of a borderline decision for the third time in as many innings. Mark Ramprakash joined Newman and they played out the afternoon session as Surrey reached 51 for 1 at tea.

The evening session was a productive one for Surrey as the early swing from the Sussex attack faded. Scoring became easier and Scott Newman raced to fifty. Ramprakash was more subdued and took his time. They moved their partnership passed one hundred and Ramprakash also completed his own fifty. The pair were looking un-troubled and set to finish the day. However, Scott Newman was adjudged LBW to Martin-Jenkins for 68 with 10 overs remaining in the day. Mark Butcher and Ramprakash saw out the remaining overs as {error} The track is still very good for batting and Ramprakash looks in imperious form. The record-breaking batsman is on 66 not out overnight and set to notch up his 99th first-class hundred as Surrey will want to pass 400 and gain maximum batting points.

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