Surrey 370 & 287-7 Leicestershire 244 & 74-1: Butcher's authority keeps Surrey on track for victory

Having escaped defeat against Derbyshire in their opening match, Surrey will expect to give their plans for a rapid return to the top division of the Championship some substance with victory today. On a slow pitch, this has not been a stroll for Mark Butcher's side. On the other hand, the nine wickets needed should be within reach.

Having established a first-innings lead of 126 on Thursday, Surrey reached 287 for 7 before setting their hosts 414 to win. Leicestershire will feel the closing passage was theirs, after trimming the target by 74 in 21 overs for the loss only of Darren Robinson, but it will take a mighty effort to maintain that standard through three sessions. Butcher has promised to restore the hard edge to Surrey's cricket and with it a sense of pride in the brown cap. His own problems with injury have not dampened his interest in a Test recall. To that end, his contribution here is a step forward. His 77 in the first innings gave support to Mark Ramprakash in what will probably prove to be the significant partnership of these four days. To that he added a patient and unbeaten 85 yesterday as a middle-order collapse threatened to swing the contest towards the home side.

Leicestershire restricted Stuart Broad to seven overs despite his first-innings success. Instead, it was the gentler pace of David Masters, allied to some variable bounce, that did most damage, removing Ramprakash and Ally Brown with consecutive deliveries before a catch by Paul Nixon saw off Rikki Clarke and gave Masters three in eight balls. Mohammad Asif then dismissed Azhar Mahmood and when Broad, in a brief second spell, had Ian Salisbury leg before Surrey were 187 for 7. Yet Butcher stood firm, his partnership with Tim Murtagh, who made 37, adding 100 in 27 overs as the tide turned again.