Had it not been for an imperious innings from Mark Ramprakash, Surrey could well have ended the second day at Edgbaston facing the prospect of defeat. Instead, it is the visitors who have the upper hand going into day three. When they resume their first innings this morning, Surrey will possess a 59-run advantage. With the pitch showing signs of turn and with the ball keeping low from time to time, however, every additional run could prove to be vital.

Ramprakash's 175 was the 95th century of his first-class career. It was also his eighth against Warwickshire - six of which have been for Surrey - and his eighth of the season; which matches the number he scored in 2006, on his way to an average over one hundred. His batting average this term is currently a mere 88.68.

The Brown Caps' vice-captain, who made 188 in last week's innings victory over Hampshire, held his side's first innings together. His knock, which came off 336 balls, lasted just over seven hours and included 24 fours and two sixes, was a lesson to his team-mates, who, between them, have so far mustered 163.

With the Warwickshire bowlers sticking to their task manfully, as, it has to be said, they did for much of the day, the morning session produced just 93 runs in thirty-five overs. Ramprakash's contribution was 71.

Jonathan Batty added ten to his overnight score before departing, to a catch at first slip, twelve overs in, after which the former Middlesex man brought up his fifty in 107 deliveries. He then hooked James Anyon for six and hit two off-side fours in Chris Woakes's first over of the day.

When the 38-year-old brought up his hundred shortly before lunch, off 174 balls, the light ripple of applause reflected its near inevitability.

In the second over following the break, Mark Butcher was bowled by Neil Carter off an inside edge. 141-3 should then have become 143-4 when Ramprakash, on 104, put the same bowler in the air. The Friday crowd groaned in unison when Alfonso Thomas fluffed what ought to have been a routine catch to his left at mid-on.

In spite of his let-off, Ramprakash did not lose anything in the way of concentration. But Stewart Walters, who had batted solidly, unwisely shouldered arms to Anyon in the 73rd over. It was only when James Benning delivered a scything assault that the Brown Caps took the initiative in a contest which, to that point, had been very much in the balance.

After playing himself in, the 24-year-old pulled Anyon for a maximum and proceeded to hit three fours off the fifth over with the new ball, which was bowled by Neil Carter. Benning was just beginning to round on Thomas when he was caught behind for a 40-ball 44.

Chris Jordan was equally at ease with the conditions, and was at the other end when Ramprakash progressed to his 150 off 289 balls on the stroke of tea with a single to deep mid-wicket boundary off the bowling of Anyon.

Well taken catches accounted for the next couple of wickets to fall. Jordan was taken by Tim Ambrose, diving forward, and Jonathan Trott drew a line under Ramprakash's magnificent display by scooping up a low catch at slip off the bowling of Ant Botha in the 114th over.

Matt Nicholson then went on the offensive and in one over from Woakes collected four boundaries. However, eight overs away from the close, the tall Australian was lbw sweeping at Botha, leaving Mortaza Hussain and Jimmy Ormond to cautiously see their side through to stumps.

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