By Ben Horne
June 5 2006

Surrey best Essex in the County Championship match at the Brit Oval. Essex made 365 in their first innings, while Surrey replied with 433. Surrey the bowled Essex out for 244, which left them a target of 178. James Benning guided them home with an unbeaten score 63,

Day one

Essex had a good start as openers Chopra and Pettini added 81 for the first wicket. Both were dismissed in quick succession to Clarke and Doshi respectively. Bopara and Flower then fell cheaply to leave Essex 129 for 4. Irani and Foster added 84 to take the score to 213 for 4. Ian Salisbury then removed Foster for 43 and took the next three wickets as Essex collapsed to 227 for 8. Irani and Adams added a valuable stand of 124 for the ninth wicket. Irani hit 122 not out, while Adams fell just before the close to Clarke for 75.

Day two

Salisbury finished the Essex innings off as he removed Palladino for a duck with Essex falling to add to their overnight total.

Newman and Batty then took control as they added 194 for the first wicket. However both fell short of a century as Batty was dismissed for with 97, while Newman made 87. Mark Ramprakash made just 14 as Surrey were left 226 for 3. Butcher and Benning added 68. Benning had reached 32 when he was caught behind with Ten Doeschate taking the wicket. He also took the next wicket of Clarke for 13. Butcher fell for 71 before the close, but Azhar Mahmood remained not out 42.

Day Three

Mahmood did not add to his overnight score as he was trapped leg before wicket to Ten Doeschate. Bicknell (24) and Salisbury (27) both hit useful score as Surrey reached 433 all out.

Essex had a bad start as they were reduced to 87 for 4, with Mahmood and Akram both picking up two wickets.

Flower and Foster added 47, with Foster making just 4 from the partnership. Ten Doeschate and Middlebrook both fell cheaply, which left Essex 132 for 6. Phillips was next to for 16, but Flower and Adams added 50. Flower brought up his century, but shortly after he fell to Salisbury. Adam was the last man to go for as Essex ware bowled out for 244.

Day Four

Newman fell early on as Surrey were left 16 for 1. Batty and Ramprakash then added 44, with Batty making 32. Butcher could only make 4, as Surrey were 87 for 3, giving Essex a slight chance of victory. However Ramprakash and Benning made certain of victory with a stand of 68. Ramprakash fell just before the victory for 55, but Benning and Clarke led Surrey home.

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