Usman Afzaal made his mark in Surrey colours in style today to score a fantastic century and put his side on top against Lancashire at the close of day two at the Brit Insurance Oval.

Afzaal, who signed with Surrey at the end of last season, demonstrated his class by following both Mark Ramprakash and his skipper Mark Butcher to three figures as Surrey posted an enormous first innings total against the Lightning.

Butcher and Ramprakash resumed play this morning and weathered a tough storm from the Lancashire bowling attack. But almost immediately after the new ball was taken, the visitors had Surrey’s number three caught behind – adding just 16 to his overnight 102.

The dismissal of Ramprakash was the only positive for Lancashire during the first session as Butcher brought up his century and guided Surrey 327 for three at the break.

Surrey lost their captain shortly after resumption but Afzaal took on the mantle of the run scorer brilliantly. He went to his half century in style and combined some delicate touches against the spin bowling of Gary Keedy, with some glorious strokes off the quicks.

He put together a nice partnership with James Benning before the right hander was adjudged lbw to Keedy for 19. His replacement Ali Brown, who came into the side for Matthew Nicholson, struck the ball beautifully to play a great foil to Afzaal. The score continued to rattle along at a good rate as the pair took Surrey into the tea interval on 451, with Afzaal 99 not out.

A cheeky single into the off side was all that was required for Afzaal to bring up his century and once he had gone to three figures, he started to open up. Brown began to play some typically flamboyant strokes and went from 50 to 74 in only a matter of deliveries.

With the score on 537 Butcher called Afzaal, 134 not out and Brown 74 not out, in to leave Lancashire an awkward 55 minutes batting before the close. They managed to negotiate this in the most part until another Surrey winter signing, Pedro Collins, struck to have Ian Sutcliffe caught at slip for 13.

Nightwatchman Keedy, joined Paul Horton as their side finished the day one down for 63, still requiring 324 runs to avoid the follow on.

You can see highlights of today’s play on Surrey TV, by clicking here.

To see the scorecard from this match, click here.

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