COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION ONE Hove, day four of four (close): Sussex 475 & 13-0 drew with Surrey 400-5d Points: Sussex 10, Surrey 11
Mark Ramprakash completed his 99th first-class century as Surrey drew with Division One champions Sussex at Hove. The 37-year-old, resuming on 66, was watchful early on but went from 85 to 123 from just 30 deliveries. Finally he gave spinner Ollie Rayner a return catch but Ali Brown and Usman Afzaal added a rapid 141 in 32 overs. Having secured maximum batting points, Surrey declared and had 35 minutes at Sussex who were 13-0 when the captains shook hands on an inevitable draw. Ramprakash has now scored a remarkable 46 centuries for both Surrey and Middlesex.  Afzaal kept the scoreboard moving with some lusty blows |
It was also his ninth against Sussex and his sixth hundred in his last nine Championship innings. Indeed, since the start of the 2006 season, Ramprakash, who averaged only 27 in 52 Tests for England and last played in 2002, has reached three figures 20 times. He went through the 90s with three fours against young off-spinner Rayner, given a chance because of Mushtaq Ahmed's absence following keyhole surgery. Despite the acceleration, this was the slowest of Ramprakash's tons, and it ended when he tried to hit Rayner over the top. Rayner also collected the scalp of Surrey skipper Mark Butcher, who was caught behind pushing forward, having added 58 for the third wicket with Ramprakash. Afzaal looked set for his second century for Surrey when he slog-swept successive deliveries from Michael Yardy for six and four, but he was bowled through the gate.
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