Surrey bat out day to earn draw

COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, The Oval:
Surrey 376 & 282-9 dec drew with Northants 492 (Northants 12pts, Surrey 10pts)

Match scorecard

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Strugglers Surrey produced a classic rearguard action at The Oval to deny promotion-chasing Northants victory.

Starting the day at 116-3, the early dismissal of Arun Harinath appeared to sow the seeds for another defeat.

But Matt Spriegel stayed 155 balls for 56, backed by the equally doughty Chris Schofield, who hit 36 in 96 as Surrey made 282-9 before hands were shaken.

Usman Afzaal weighed in with 31 and the obdurate Alex Tudor stayed to the end for an unbeaten 20 off 102 balls.

Skipper Nicky Boje was Northants' most successful bowler with 4-75, Lee Daggett taking 3-39, while Monty Panesar bowled 51 overs for his 2-85.

Second-placed Northants now trail Division Two champions elect Kent by 36 points with two games to go. But they have opened up a 13-point gap on third-placed Gloucestershire.