Surrey registered their first victory of the new season thanks to an unbeaten 68 not out off 103 balls from Mark Ramprakash, who guided the visitors to a resolute five-wicket win over Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens. Apart from being the only century-maker in the match, 175 for once out on a taxing surface truly underlined Ramprakash’s class as well as his importance to this Surrey side.

The visitors needed just over half an hour to knock off the 54 runs they wanted at the start of play yesterday. Resuming on 122 for four, Surrey’s two not out batsmen were soon tucking into David Harrison. Ramprakash brought up his half-century by pulling the 23-year-old and Brown drove him for four to reduce the requirement to 41.

It rapidly became 32 when Alistair Brown propelled Simon Jones over extra cover for four then flicked him to the mid-wicket boundary. The Ovalites’ positive approach was then put to the test against Alex Wharf and the Glamorgan skipper Robert Croft. The switch brought about the downfall of Brown, who nudged Wharf straight to Powell at first slip. Brown’s 34 had lasted just 25 balls and included five boundaries.

But Rikki Clarke immediately whipped Wharf through mid-wicket and hit him for two down the ground. The bowler, unimpressed, then struck Clarke on the shoulder, however the resulting four byes left Surrey needing just six to win. Ramprakash then cut Croft for four and drove him to the boundary to wrap things up in the visitors’ favour.

For Ramprakash, the match included a number of personal milestones. During his first innings 107 he passed 25,000 career runs and in the second innings he brought up his 1,000th first-class run against the Welshmen.

Afterwards, Ramprakash said: "I've played a lot of cricket over the years and faced a lot of fast bowlers, but that was as difficult as you can get. Simon Jones bowled extremely quick with the new ball. It was a bit uneven there and we had to work very hard. I thought Scott Newman was outstanding in the second innings. He really took the attack to them and gave our innings impetus."

Had it not been for the unstinting Ormond, however, Surrey might well have been asked a lot more questions in the fourth innings. With Murtagh unable to bowl plus Mohammad Akram and Rikki Clarke being struck down by new injuries, the visitors were indebted to the highly underrated 27-year-old.

"Well it's typical Jimmy," said Ramprakash. "He's got such a great heart. The team were really up against it. Clarke had a sore hamstring, Murtagh was off and then Mohammad Akram cut his eye and was struggling to bowl. So, it was all up to Jimmy really and he seems to thrive in those situations. He's done a great job for the team and it was an outstanding performance."

Asked as to his feelings on going past the 25,000-mark, the former Middlesex man said modestly: "It makes me feel very old. Yes I am delighted, but at the moment I'll just keep trying to earn a living I think."

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