Surrey 20-1 trail Essex by 16 runs
Mark Stoneman, Surrey’s first-innings batting hero, was an early casualty second time around as Essex put the home side under third day pressure at Guildford after winning a useful 36-run lead.
By lunch Surrey were 20 for 1 after seven overs’ batting, with Rory Burns on 8 not out and Scott Borthwick yet to score, after Ryan Ten Doeschate’s brilliant 168 not out had earlier taken Essex to 435 in reply to Surrey’s 399 following their resumption on 367 for 7.
Neil Wagner went from his overnight 20 to 34, stretching the eighth wicket partnership with Ten Doeschate to 72 before he was caught at the wicket off Sam Curran.
Jamie Porter stayed long enough to help Ten Doeschate secure maximum batting points before being bowled by Stuart Meaker for 6, and last man Matt Quinn lost his middle stump to Ravi Rampaul. Ten Doeschate’s superb innings, his 26th first-class ton, came from 209 balls and the 36-year-old hit a six and 25 fours.
Stoneman, having flicked Wagner’s left arm seam contemptuously through mid wicket for two gorgeous fours, then on 10 edged Porter to second slip where Simon Harmer juggled the ball before Alastair Cook, at first slip, completed the catch.