Champions pile on the punishment for Durham

DOMINIC Sibley and Sam Curran scored excellent centuries as champions Surrey made Durham rue their decision to field first on day one at the Kia Oval.

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Sibley batted all day for his unbeaten 169, his third century of the campaign, while Curran’s 108 from 117 balls was his first Championship ton of the season. The duo added 170 for the third wicket as the hosts piled up 407-3.

Prior to their mammoth stand Rory Burns lit up the morning's play with a half century full of trademark shots and laced with 12 fours and Dan Lawrence (58no) too passed 50 at better than a run a ball before stumps were drawn.

Durham were without the services of Ben Raine from early afternoon and there was a nasty moment for England quick Matthew Potts, who collided with the advertising boards in stopping a boundary shortly before lunch. He didn’t appear at the start of the afternoon session but returned to bowl later, seemingly without issue.

Shorn of the services of Brydon Carse, Mark Wood and Codi Yusuf,

Durham nevertheless followed the accepted practice of bowling first at the Oval even with the Kookaburra ball in play.