A partnership of 403 in 91 overs between Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher was instrumental in Surrey tightening their grip in this match as they posted a massive first innings total of 626-3 declared. In the process, Ramprakash recorded the thirteenth double century of his first-class career, which places him in the company of W.G.Grace, Graham Gooch and Brian Lara. Eight of them have now come since he signed for the Brown Caps in 2001.

Ramprakash's unbeaten 266 lasted 332 balls and included 31 fours and three sixes. His alliance with Butcher was the largest ever conceded by Sussex in the County Championship; and the second biggest partnership constructed at Hove; the highest being Monty Noble and Warwick Armstrong's 428 for the Australian tourists in 1902. However, it was not a new third wicket record for Surrey. That still belongs to Darren Bicknell and David Ward, who combined for 413 against Kent at Canterbury in 1990.

In reply, the home side lost Carl Hopkinson to the first ball of their innings, lbw to Matt Nicholson, but with Richard Montgomerie and Chris Nash seeing Sussex through to 109-1 at stumps the draw would appear to be the most likely outcome.

Earlier in the day Butcher was dropped at backward point off Rana Naved-ul-Hasan before adding to his overnight score. The let off proved expensive as the Brown Caps' skipper recorded the 35th first-class century of his career. It took him 179 balls and coincided with his county's record stand for the third wicket against Sussex - Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe's 243 at Horsham in 1995 - being scratched off.

When Butcher had 104 to his name another catch went begging, but Montgomerie floored a dipping chance to first slip off medium-pacer Luke Wright.

Ramprakash, who went on the attack by pulling Robin Martin-Jenkins for a huge six, eased to his 150 from 206 balls - which came in the same over as the visitors picked up all five batting bonus points - and pushed on to his double century in 274 deliveries with a series of dismissive boundaries. The former Middlesex man straight drove Wright powerfully to the fence, and later handsomely pulled Naved-ul-Hasan to the rope before on-driving the Pakistani pace bowler for four.

Sussex, smarting from two successive innings defeats, picked up a consolation bowling point off the last available ball final ball, in the 130th over, as Butcher fell to Mushtaq Ahmed; bowled attempting to drive the Pakistan leg-spinner through extra cover.

But Ramprakash reached his 250 from 325 balls, though not before he broke a record that had stood for well over a century - the highest score by a Surrey batsman against Sussex, which prior to yesterday belonged to W.E.Roller, who made 204 against Sussex at the Oval in 1885.

Alistair Brown joined Ramprakash to prolong the home side's agony and the pair had added an unbroken 117 in seventeen overs when Surrey eventually declared forty minutes before tea. Brown's half-century took just 47 balls.

GO TO:

BACK TO: