LONDON — Surrey Cricket Club made history on Wednesday, smashing their club-record total with an astonishing 820-9 declared against Durham in the County Championship, the fourth-highest score ever recorded in the history of English county cricket.
The mammoth innings, which spanned just over two days at the Kia Oval, saw Surrey dominate from the outset, with five batsmen scoring centuries—a rare feat in first-class cricket. The declaration came shortly after tea on day two, leaving Durham shell-shocked and facing a monumental task to avoid defeat.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Surrey’s total surpassed their previous highest first-class score of 811, set against Somerset in 1899. Only three teams in county cricket history have posted higher totals:
- 1,107 – Victoria vs. New South Wales (1926-27, Sheffield Shield)
- 863-7 dec – Somerset vs. Middlesex (2007)
- 850-7 dec – Lancashire vs. Surrey (1990)
The innings was built on a foundation of relentless batting, with openers Rory Burns (149) and Dom Sibley (140) setting the tone with a 228-run partnership. The middle order then piled on the runs, with Jamie Smith (114), Ben Foakes (124), and Jordan Clark (101*) all reaching three figures.
Key Moments of the Innings
Surrey’s dominance was evident from the first session, as Burns and Sibley batted with patience and precision. Durham’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with only spinner Liam Trevaskis (3-156) managing any semblance of control.
Centuries Galore
The standout performer was wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes, whose 124 came at a brisk pace, including 15 boundaries. Speaking after the declaration, Foakes said, "It was one of those days where everything clicked. The pitch was flat, and we just kept building partnerships."
Jordan Clark’s unbeaten 101 from just 87 balls provided the late fireworks, ensuring Surrey surpassed the 800-run mark before captain Rory Burns called his team in. Clark later admitted, "I’ve never been part of anything like this. To contribute to such a historic total is surreal."
Durham’s Struggle
Durham’s bowlers toiled for 197 overs, with only Trevaskis and Ben Raine (2-123) managing multiple wickets. Captain Scott Borthwick acknowledged the challenge, stating, "It was a tough two days. Credit to Surrey—they batted incredibly well, and we just couldn’t find a way to break through consistently."
The visitors’ reply got off to a shaky start, losing opener Alex Lees early. By stumps on day two, Durham were 98-3, still trailing by a staggering 722 runs. With two days remaining, Surrey are firm favorites to secure a crushing victory.
Historical Context
Surrey’s 820-9 now sits among the most iconic team totals in cricket history. The highest first-class score remains Victoria’s 1,107 against New South Wales in 1926-27, a match that spanned four days and saw Bill Ponsford score 429.
In English county cricket, only Somerset’s 863-7 dec against Middlesex in 2007 and Lancashire’s 850-7 dec against Surrey in 1990 stand above Surrey’s latest effort. The innings also marked the highest total ever recorded at the Kia Oval.
Conclusion
Surrey’s record-breaking performance will be remembered as one of the greatest batting displays in county cricket history. With five centurions and a relentless approach, they showcased the depth and talent within their squad.
As Durham face an uphill battle to save the match, Surrey’s achievement has already etched itself into the annals of cricket lore. "Days like this don’t come often," said Burns. "We’ll savor it."