Rory Burns: Surrey "allowing ourselves" to dream about County Championship title

Despite wins for Hampshire and Lancashire, Surrey have extended their lead at the top of Division One, and a first crown since 2018 is within reach.

Surrey captain Rory Burns has admitted thoughts have started to turn to the LV= Insurance County Championship title after his side squeezed victory out of a difficult position against Warwickshire.

Burns' side went into day four with the Bears sitting pretty on 270 for 4 in their second innings, but Kemar Roach and Jordan Clark whittled through the visitors to dismiss them for 310, before the batsmen made light work of a target of 248.

That means that, despite wins for Hampshire and Lancashire, Surrey have extended their lead at the top of Division One, and a first crown since 2018 is within reach.

"With three games to go now in September and being top of Division One you can’t help but think about it," said Burns afterwards.

^{Surrey lead the title race in Division One [Getty Images]}

"Yes, we will allow ourselves that dream but, when those last three matches come along, we will simply stick with our processes and concentrate on doing our jobs."

Surrey have matches against Northamptonshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire to come to end their first-class campaign.

Burns wants to see his team dig out more performances like the one delivered at the Kia Oval over the past four days.

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE: TOP THREE

1 - Surrey P11 Pts 209

2 - Hampshire P11 Pts 192

3 - Lancashire P11 Pts 175

“What we saw in this game and throughout the season so far is different people putting their hands up and performing when the team need them," he said.

"It shows the resilience of our squad, our real togetherness and also having the value of multi-skilled all-round cricketers right across the team.

"Kemar’s spell this morning was so skilful and he deserved his wickets for the way he has run in all match, especially following the injury yesterday morning to Jamie Overton. Jordan Clark also bowled really well in support of Kemar and to take their last six wickets in an hour was better even than we could have hoped for. This was an outstanding win from where we were overnight."

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