Overview

• Surrey declared on 820-9 at The Oval, the club’s highest first-class total in 126 years, propelled by Dom Sibley’s unbeaten 305.
• Dan Lawrence scored a career-best 178 and Will Jacks made 119, joining Sam Curran’s 108 to help Surrey surpass their previous best of 811.
• Worcestershire piled up 679-7 against Hampshire, with Adam Hose’s career-best 266 and Jake Libby’s unbeaten 228 securing a commanding first-innings lead.
• Summer heat, flat wickets and a Kookaburra ball with a muted seam have tilted early rounds in favour of batsmen.
• Surrey remain unbeaten and sit second in Division One, while Worcestershire remain bottom despite their batting surge.