Clarke keeps Surrey ticking

County Championship D1, Guildford, day one (stumps): Surrey 375-9 v Middlesex

Full scorecard

England one-day batsman Rikki Clarke kept Surrey's confidence at its usual high after an early struggle against cross-town rivals Middlesex.

The visitors were rewarded with two early wickets after putting the Championship leaders in to bat at Guildford.

I was disappointed to lose my place earlier on in the season, but was determined to take my opportunity when I got back in the team Rikki Clarke

Graham Thorpe, overlooked by England for this week's first Test, responded with a half-century before the recalled Simon Cook took a trio of wickets to leave Surrey 131-5.

Ashley Noffke and Chad Keegan also claimed three victims each.

But on his home ground Clarke then marshalled a revival, taking 110 balls over his 85 with 13 fours.

The tailenders helped out too, Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq both making 40 as Surrey reached 375-9.

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Surrey: I J Ward (Capt), J N Batty (Wkt), M R Ramprakash G P Thorpe, A D Brown, A J Tudor, R Clarke, I D K Salisbury M P Bicknell, Saqlain Mushtaq, J Ormond.

Middlesex: A J Strauss (Capt), S G Koenig, O A Shah, B L Hutton E C Joyce, Abdul Razzaq, P N Weekes, D C Nash (Wkt), S J Cook A A Noffke, C B Keegan.