Ian Ward's vintage summer reached a fitting climax as he slammed his third consecutive century - and seventh in the season - as Leicestershire's aging seam bowlers suffered.

This season's champions also hailed their ninth centurion as Scott Newman reached three figures for the first time in his career in an opening stand worth 227 with Ward.

It was Ward who was the first man out for 118, caught by Darren Maddy off Phil DeFreitas.

But Leicestershire had to wait until the scoreboard had ticked over to 352 before claiming their second wicket - Newman caught behind off Srinath for a superb 183.

Jonathan Batty was finally out for 74 on the last ball of the day, meanwhile, Devon Malcolm claiming his solitary success to date

Graham Thorpe (nine not out) will be joined by Nad Shahid when play resumes on Thursday.

Surrey: I J Ward, S A Newman, N Shahid, G P Thorpe, A D Brown, A J Hollioake (Capt), J N Batty (Wkt), I D K Salisbury, T J Murtagh, P J Sampson, J Ormond.

Leicestershire: I J Sutcliffe (Capt), R J Cunliffe, D L Maddy, D I Stevens, A S Wright, N D Burns (Wkt), D G Brandy, P A J DeFreitas, J Srinath, C D Crowe, D E Malcolm.