Absent from the Test side for nearly four years, Dom Sibley's maiden triple century, and centuries from Sam Curran, Dan Lawrence and Will Jacks helped Surrey record their highest ever total. On June 30, Surrey posted 820/9 on the board against Durham, the fourth-highest score in County cricket history.
Surrey's previous highest total of 811 came against Somerset in 1899. Back then, an over used to be of five deliveries. The record for highest total in County Championship history belongs to Yorkshire. They scored 887 against Warwickshire in 887.
Sibley also became the fifth Surrey batter to score a triple century. The other batters are Bobby Abel (357 not out in 1899), Kevin Pietersen (355 not out in 2015), Andy Ducat (306 not out in 1919) and Mark Ramprakash (301 not out in 2006).
Sibley's big partnership
Surrey captain Rory Burns won the toss and opted to bat first. Burns and Sibley shared a 95-run opening partnership. Jimmy Neesham got the breakthrough for Durham. Ryan Patel could not play a long knock and was dismissed for 10 by Ben Raine. Sam Curran batted with a strike rate close to 90 and reached his century from 117 deliveries. Sibley was batting on 94 when Curran reached three figures. The partnership was broken by George Drissell in the 77th over. Just before Curran departed, Sibely reached his century from 238 balls.
Sibley accelerated alongside Lawrence as the piled on runs. Sibley reached his 150 from 280 balls, nearly run-a-ball after getting to 100. The partnership frustrated Durham bowlers and Lawrence picked up pace as well. Another out-of-favour batter, Lawrence, completed his century. He took 99 balls to reach the milestone. Shortly after, Sibley got to the double hundred mark from 356 balls. As both batters got to their milestones, Durham bowlers were taken to the cleaners. Drissell, Neesham and Will Rhodes took a beating. Lawrence crossed 150 in quick time whereas Sibley got to his 250. Daniel Hogg was brought back into the attack and he delivered with Lawrence's wicket. He scored 178 runs from 149 balls, featuring 19 fours and four sixes.
Sibley hits triple ton
As Lawrence departed, Surrey had 612 runs on the board in 129.5 overs. Will Jacks did not take much time to get underway. He reached his fifty from 46 balls. Sibley scripted history at Kennington Oval, London as he reached his triple ton from 472 deliveries. In the 152nd over, Rhodes ended Sibley's stay at the crease. His knock of 305 was laced with 29 fours and two sixes.
Jacks leads Surrey to record-breaking total
Jordan Clark played a 16-ball 24 cameo before he was caught and bowled by Rhodes. Meanwhile, Jacks had reached his century from just 85 balls. Colin Ackermann got his first breakthrough as he dismissed Josh Blake for a single-digit score. With Rhodes dismisse Tom Lawes lbw, tea was taken. In the 162nd over, Jacks hit Hogg for two consecutive sixes to help Surrey break their record. On the third ball, he was caught and Burns decided to declare the innings. Jacks' 94-ball 119 was studded with eight fours and four sixes. Surrey posted 820/9, the highest score in 180-year history of the club, that too with over five runs per over run rate.
In response, Durham posted 59/1 from 28 overs before Day 2, Stumps. Emilio Gay was knocked over by Matthew Fisher for a single-digit score. Captain Alex Lees (84-ball 33) and Rhodes (75-ball 16) remained unbeaten. From Durham batters' approach, it is clear that they are going for a draw.