Title favourites rain supreme in shortened day

ONLY 21.1 overs were possible on day three at the Kia Oval but title favourites Surrey still used that time profitably to score 95 more second innings runs and boost their chances of being able to force championship victory against Warwickshire.

- By MARK BALDWIN ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Dodging the showers in the afternoon, in two mini-sessions, allowed Ben Foakes and Dan Lawrence to add an unbroken 57 for the third wicket as Surrey reached 276 for two and a lead of 274 to take into the Division One game's final day.

Foakes batted beautifully for 41 not out from 66 balls, with six fours, while Lawrence drove Ethan Bamber majestically over extra cover for six and also struck three fours in an unbeaten 36-ball 29.

Earlier, in nine overs' play before the first rain of the day arrived at 11.09am, Ollie Pope went quickly from his overnight 56 to 78, from 103 balls, before being bowled off an inside edge as he gave Michael Booth's fast-medium the charge and tried to hit him over mid off.

Pope had included a six and eight fours in an impressive knock that did much to provide Surrey with much needed second innings impetus.