Mark Ramprakash became the first batsman to score 1,000 first-class runs this season as, by the close on day three, Surrey established a lead of 199 over bottom-placed Glamorgan at Swansea. The visitors still have seven second innings wickets intact, which allows them the option of attacking today's opening session before giving themselves sixty overs or so to bowl the Welshmen out a second time.

That may well prove to be easier said than done, however, for the Brown Caps had to endure further frustration yesterday morning with Robert Croft and Dean Cosker putting on 55 runs for the last wicket. As well as giving the hosts a 62-run lead at the mid-way point, it also enabled them to gain maximum bonus points for only the second time this summer.

Cosker made an unbeaten 28, which included a top-edged hook for six off Rikki Clarke (who conceded 93 runs off fourteen overs in total), before Croft fell to a stunning diving catch by Ian Salisbury at slip. Croft had struck 72 off 115 balls, his highest score of the season, which contained nine boundaries.

Scott Newman and Jonathan Batty then set about re-establishing their side's foothold in this match with a measured opening stand worth 54 in 26 overs. But Newman, who has now made just 97 runs in six championship innings, was undone by one that Croft pushed through; though not before the left-hander had a let-off when Mark Cosgrove floored a return catch and, in his annoyance, kicked the ball for overthrows. Cosgrove suffered further frustration when Batty edged him over first slip for four.

Batty, with 72 in 178 deliveries, and Ramprakash, 65 in 107, both went to tea with half-centuries to their name and with the Brown Caps' second dig standing at 172 for one. The pair shared a second-wicket stand worth 125 before Surrey suffered two losses within the space of as many overs.

Alex Wharf accounted for the Surrey wicketkeeper, who cut a short ball to Cosker at point. Mark Butcher then fell third ball for one, looping a catch to a diving Nicky Peng at short leg. Otherwise, the visitors' dominance in the final session was unquestionable.

Ramprakash duly posted his fourth century of the season, which has so far included 12 fours and two straight sixes. It was his 30th three-figure score since moving to the Oval in 2001. Yesterday it was also the 16th occasion in twenty summers that the former Middlesex man has achieved 1,000 runs.

His alliance with Alistair Brown, who drove spinner Dean Cosker for a straight six on his way to an undefeated 40 off 77 balls, is already worth 79.

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