19 May, 2025 | 05:41 PM

Surrey continued their dominance at the Kia Oval with a commanding innings-and-28-run victory over Yorkshire in the County Championship Division One, as Jordan Clark and Tom Lawes spearheaded a clinical bowling display.

Clark finished with match figures of 7 for 76, including 4 for 45 in Yorkshire's second innings, while Lawes claimed 3 for 47. Their efforts ensured Yorkshire were bowled out for 229 before lunch on the final day, having resumed on 185 for 6 and still trailing Surrey by 72 runs.

The moment that sealed Yorkshire’s fate came from an unlikely source. Ryan Patel, primarily known for his batting, took the key wicket of Jonny Bairstow, bowling him for 77 with a sharp nip-backer. It was Patel’s first wicket of the season and only the 23rd of his first-class career. Bairstow, who had started the day on 64, was Yorkshire’s last real hope, and his dismissal triggered the final collapse.

Earlier in the morning session, Lawes struck first by trapping Matthew Revis lbw for 13. Clark then returned with the second new ball to dismiss Ben Coad (2), who chopped on, before the final blow came when Jordan Thompson, after briefly entertaining with a six, holed out to deep mid-on for 16.

Surrey had set up their dominant position by posting a mammoth 512 in their first innings, featuring contributions from Ben Foakes (86), Matt Patterson (85), Jordan Clark (69), and a five-wicket haul from Yorkshire’s Dom Hill (5-66). They had earlier dismissed Yorkshire for 255 on day one, with Bairstow (89) and Adam Lyth (55) offering resistance. But it was all downhill for the visitors from there.

Despite the absence of pace spearhead Dan Worrall (heel injury) and all-rounder Dan Lawrence (back injury), Surrey were relentless, underscoring their depth and determination as they chase a fourth successive County Championship title.

The win, Surrey’s second of the season, lifts them to second place in the Division One table behind early leaders Nottinghamshire. It also extends their remarkable home record — now 18 wins from 24 matches at the Oval since the start of the 2022 season, with just one loss in that span.

Surrey may have had a quiet start to the 2025 campaign with four early draws — largely due to docile pitches away from home — but this emphatic performance signals they are far from losing their edge.

Match Summary:

Surrey 512 (Foakes 86, Patterson 85, Clark 69; Hill 5-66)
beat Yorkshire 255 (Bairstow 89, Lyth 55; Clark 3-31, Lawes 3-77) and 229 (Bairstow 77, Wharton 67; Clark 4-45, Lawes 3-47)
by an innings and 28 runs