Batty keeps Surrey steady

County Championship D1, Old Trafford, day one (stumps): Surrey 330-9 v Lancashire

Full scorecard

Batty batted patiently against Lancashire's spinners

Jonathan Batty hit a patient 152 not out but Surrey were kept under wraps by Lancashire's spinners on day one of a vital match at Old Trafford.

Surrey began the day five points behind Championship leaders Sussex, who have this week off but they could only close the gap with three bonus points.

Batty and Graeme Thorpe added 104 for the second wicket, the veteran making 57 before three wickets fell in the space of fives runs.

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Azhar Mahmood sparked a revival with the opener, but the visitors could not keep the tempo high and the Pakistan all-rounder became Gary Keedy's third victim for 63.

Bad light denied Lancs the chance to finish Surrey off, leaving the visitors 330-9 with Batty 16 short of his career best.

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Lancashire: I J Sutcliffe, M R Currie, S G Law, C L Hooper M J Chilton, G Chapple, W K Hegg (Capt, Wkt), C P Schofield P J Martin, J Wood, G Keedy.

Surrey: I J Ward, J N Batty (Wkt), A D Brown, G P Thorpe, R Clarke Saqlain Mushtaq, A J Hollioake (Capt), Azhar Mahmood I D K Salisbury, J Ormond, T J Murtagh.