As all eyes were on the dramatic events as they unfolded in Leeds, Surrey completed their task with the minimum of fuss writes Dominic Burgess.

In the all important championship game, guests Derbyshire were routed by 226 runs - a huge relief following a turbulent beginning to the week.

Monday had seen the Oval hosting the first day/night game in the capital. Not all went to plan and Surrey succumbed tamely to Sussex, themselves hardly setting the AXA league on fire.

A similar fate befell the Lions two evenings later in the curtain raiser with Derbyshire: the team were not able to raise themselves for the occasion.

Fortunately they suffered no hangovers and were straight into the groove the following morning.

Ali Brown weighed in with yet another ton to seize the initiative. Ben Hollioake asserted his authority with the ball taking 4 for 36 to restrict the visitors to 139, nearly 200 runs short.

Martin Bicknell then took over, smashing 81 quick runs to take the lead past 400.

This target was rendered impossible by yet another magical spell from Saqlain, who scoopeed another personal best 8 for 65.

The man is a genius and deserves the freedom of Kennington for his efforts so far.

Another headline hero was Mark Butcher for his outstanding maiden Test century at Headingly. He was joined on the front page by his father Alan who dashed up from his 2nd XI duties to play first class cricket for the first time in six years. The 44-year-old coach smacked his first ball for four and went on to make 34 valuable runs.

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