BBC News Online: Sport: Cricket

Surrey claim county crown

Ian Ward struck the winning runs with a spectacular boundary to secure the win with two days of the match to spare.

Set 150 to win, Surrey openers Ward (55 not out) and Mark Butcher (81no) dispatched the runs in double quick time and the target was reached without losing a wicket.

Adam Hollioake's team have dominated the season so comprehensively that they have claimed the crown with two games still left to play.

They have won 12 of their matches and are so far unbeaten.

Historic success

Surrey's chief executive Paul Sheldon said: "This is one of the great moments in the history of Surrey cricket.

"To have won in such emphatic and dominant style is a tribute to a fabulous side."

Ward and Butcher rattled off the runs in just 95 minutes, to ensure their supporters did not have to return on Friday to see their team triumph.

The Nottinghamshire bowlers had no answer to the rampant opening pair, who smacked the last 43 runs off 22 balls.

Butcher, in particular, was in formidable form and hit his 81 from 72 balls, including 13 fours.

Earlier Nottinghamshire had been dismissed for 233 in their second innings, with Surrey's overseas player Saqlain Mushtaq again a

Notts in a spin

Saqlain, who has played such a huge role in the county's success this season, claimed four for 100 runs.

And his "spin twin" Ian Salisbury also snared four wickets, with only Usman Afzaal, who hit a fine century, and Paul Johnson (41) providing any genuine resistance.

Pakistan-born left-hander Afzaal held up Surrey's victory charge, reaching three figures for the third time in his career from 163 balls in 237 minutes with 15 fours.

But when he was taken behind by Stewart off Salisbury nine deliveries later, Surrey were well on top and the end was in sight.

Afzaal's effort was only the second century scored against Surrey all season - with the previous ton, from Essex's Paul Pritchard, completed back in May.

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