Only 26.3 overs were possible at Woodbridge Road yesterday, virtually guaranteeing that this contest is now heading toward a draw. But, regardless of the final outcome, it will be a match Stewart Walters will forever look back on with partiality. As well as it being his first championship game as captain, the 26-year-old now has a first-class hundred to his name at long last.

Resuming on 219-3, Walters, in alliance with Usman Afzaal, helped add 60 in 22 overs in the morning session, which saw two fifteen-minute stoppages for drizzle. The closest Essex came to making a breakthrough was when the acting Surrey skipper was dropped at mid-on off the bowling of James Middlebrook in the tenth over of the day.

As is so often the case, the unlucky bowler's next delivery was despatched for four. Later in the same over, which proved to be the final one with the original ball, Walters moved to 98 by slog sweeping the 32-year-old off-spinner to the square leg boundary.

Two overs later, Afzaal brought up his third first-class century against Essex and his thirtieth in all, which came off 163 deliveries, with a single to fine leg. The very next ball saw Walters reach his first, which took 187 deliveries, with a swept single off Middlebrook.

In the 82nd over, Afzaal posted the 200 partnership with a wristy on drive for four off Tony Palladino. But shortly after lunch, off the last ball prior to the third and final rain interruption, Afzaal was caught low down at short extra cover by Varun Chopra off the bowling of David Masters for 116. The former England left-hander had batted for 310 minutes, faced 214 deliveries and hit eighteen fours.

The weather forecast for today is much more promising, which will be a relief to all concerned seeing as both sides are currently four overs behind on their over-rate.

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