Worrall's Late Burst Lifts Surrey as Lees Century Anchors Durham Resistance

A fiery late spell with the second new ball from Dan Worrall gave Surrey renewed hopes of forcing a result against Durham at the Kia Oval, after Alex Lees’ battling century had seemingly put the visitors on track for a draw in their County Championship Division One clash.

Lees compiled a resilient 125, and shared a crucial 152-run fourth-wicket stand with Ollie Robinson (79), to steer Durham from early trouble. But Worrall's three quick wickets sparked a middle-order collapse that saw Durham tumble from 266 for 3 to 284 for 7, before they eventually limped to 343 for 9 at stumps on day three — still trailing Surrey's mammoth 820 for 9 declared by 477 runs.

Worrall’s burst — removing Robinson, Lees, and Jimmy Neesham in successive overs — briefly opened a window of opportunity for Surrey, whose victory push had appeared to stall in the face of a flat Oval surface and searing 90-degree heat. He ended the day with figures of 4 for 49 from 23 overs, further staking his claim for an England call-up this winter, now that he qualifies under residency rules.

Earlier, Surrey had been made to toil under the sun as Lees and Robinson dug in. Starting the day on 33, Lees batted for nearly six hours in total, displaying tremendous concentration and physical resilience. His knock, spanning 240 deliveries and including 18 boundaries, was his 31st first-class century and the cornerstone of Durham’s resistance.

After the early loss of Will Rhodes, who edged Matt Fisher to keeper Josh Blake for 26, and Colin Ackermann — caught smartly by Will Jacks at slip off Sam Curran for 24 — Lees and Robinson rebuilt steadily through the middle session. Robinson reached his half-century in style, pulling Jordan Clark for six over midwicket, while Lees moved fluently through the gears to reach three figures in the 74th over.

Surrey’s breakthrough came with the second new ball. Worrall first bowled Robinson with a late inswinger, then had Lees nibbling at a delivery that rose and moved away, before Neesham edged another sharp ball to Jacks at slip. Fisher returned to dismiss George Drissell on the stroke of tea, top-edging a pull to mid-on, as Durham slid from a position of stability into deep trouble.

Graham Clark and Matthew Potts offered further resistance after the interval, putting on 46 for the eighth wicket. Potts, who batted for 79 deliveries to score 23, was eventually trapped lbw by Dan Lawrence, and Worrall returned late to bowl Clark for 30 with a textbook delivery that beat the bat and hit the stumps.

Despite their efforts, the draw remains the most likely outcome heading into the final day, with bat dominating ball for much of the match. However, Worrall’s skill and sharpness with the less-helpful Kookaburra ball — currently being trialled in select Championship fixtures — offered a rare moment of menace on an otherwise docile pitch.

Ben Raine, injured while bowling on day one, bravely came out at No. 11 to support Daniel Hogg, who added two late boundaries off Fisher to ensure Durham at least avoided being bowled out before stumps.

While Surrey hold a dominant position on the scoreboard, time and conditions may conspire against them in the final push. But if Worrall has another say, there could yet be life left in this contest.