Surrey collapse despite Ward's brave defiance

Kent 374 & 260 Surrey 225 & 264-7

By the time it rained on Surrey's parade yesterday they were right in the middle of a serious slump. Captain Adam Hollioake had just become the fifth wicket to fall – having failed signally to repeat his thunderous exploits of the previous day – when the heavens opened briefly. It was symbolic.

The fact that they survived the extra half hour and must return for the last rites this morning owes much to the doggedness of Ian Ward, who managed to compile a worthy hundred. Ward witnessed at first hand the mayhem either side of the rain, a spell that put the skids under the championship leaders and set them up for what looks certain to be their second First Division defeat on the trot.

The shower was a short sharp one, as was Jonathan Batty's contribution to the cause. The first ball he faced after the break was his last, Robert Key snapping up a simple catch as the Surrey wicket-keeper pushed tamely forward at an Andrew Symonds' off-break.

It completed an abysmal spell for the visitors, who had lost four wickets in the space of 22 balls and rendered futile Ward's stoicism.

The Kent second innings had been wrapped up before lunch, although Surrey had to work hard to winkle out the remaining four wickets, which helped set up an improbable target of 410 runs.

Ward and Rikki Clarke had a stab at it, putting on 123 runs for the third wicket before the 20-year-old mis-hit to mid-wicket after a fine half century. The crucial wicket of Alistair Brown followed and Hollioake was caught behind off Martin Saggers.

Ian Salisbury followed Batty, but at least Saqlain Mushtaq was able to hang in there with Ward and help him record his second century of the season, although he did spend 34 agonising minutes on 99 before finally reaching three figures.