Saqlain keeps Surrey on course

Saqlain took four for 83 in 43 overs

County Championship D1, Edgbaston: Warwickshire 300-9 v Surrey

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Saqlain Mushtaq took four wickets in a marathon spell as Surrey's grasp on their third County Championship in four years tightened at Edgbaston.

The Pakistani spinner bowled 43 overs, taking four for 88, as Warwickshire made their way to 300 for nine at the end of the first day.

Nick Knight hit a patient 74 for the hosts, and Jim Troughton enhanced his burgeoning reputation with an 80-ball 61, including 10 fours.

But opening bowlers James Ormond (three for 93) and Martin Bicknell (two for 86) shared five wickets as wickets fell at regular intervals.

The largest partnership of the day was the 79 added for the first wicket between Knight and Mike Powell, before the Warwickshire skipper fell lbw to Saqlain for 36.

Three bowling bonus points for Surrey and three batting points for the Bears maintained the 47-point gap between the two sides.

But Warwickshire can still top their visitors if they win this and the remaining three matches, with Surrey losing the three they have left, including this match.

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Warwickshire: M J Powell (Capt), N V Knight, M A Wagh, I R Bell, J O Troughton, S M Pollock, D R Brown, T Frost (Wkt), A F Giles, M A Sheikh, M M Betts.

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