Surrey trounce Warwickshire to move closer to County Championship title

Warwickshire, who lost 17 wickets to Surrey's irresistible pace battery on the second day, were bowled out for 138 on day three after resuming still 109 runs behind the 2022 champions and long-time Division One leaders at 126 for 7

The Oval (day three of four): Surrey 396, Warwickshire 161 & 138 (f/o) - Surrey won by an innings and 97 runs

Surrey needed only four overs on day three to complete the trouncing of Warwickshire by an innings and 97 runs at the Kia Oval and move a big step closer to successive LV= Insurance County Championship titles.

Their 22-point victory, Surrey's eighth of the season, will push them at least 18 points clear of second-placed Essex, even if their only rivals for the Championship pennant can gain maximum bowling points and also go on to beat Middlesex at Chelmsford later in this round of matches. Both counties will then have just two games left in the campaign.

Warwickshire, who lost 17 wickets to Surrey's irresistible pace battery on the second day, were bowled out for 138 after resuming still 109 runs behind the 2022 champions and long-time Division One leaders at 126 for 7.

They had been asked to follow on the previous day and Dan Worrall struck with the fifth ball of the morning to remove Henry Brookes for seven, fencing to second slip, and the match was soon over.

^{Kemar Roach picked up 4 for 64 in Warwickshire's first innings [Steve Bardens/Getty Images]}

^{Dan Mousley was the only Warwickshire batter to score more than 20 runs in their second innings [David Rogers/Getty Images]}

Worrall also sent back Dan Mousley in his second over, the left-hander thin-edging to keeper Ben Foakes to depart for 61. Mousley had resisted stubbornly on the second evening but added only a single to his overnight score as Surrey closed in ruthlessly.

Victory came just 15 minutes into the day's play when Jordan Clark castled last man Chris Rushworth for six with the last ball of his second over.

Worrall finished with 5 for 25 and outstanding match figures of 8 for 59, while Clark took 4 for 26 in Warwickshire's second innings and five wickets overall.

Kemar Roach's second day 4 for 64 did much to send Warwickshire sliding to 161 all out in their first innings, in reply to Surrey's 396, and Tom Lawes was Surrey's other wicket-taker in their five-pronged pace attack with 2 for 27 first time around.