COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, Northampton
Northants v Surrey
11-14 June (Play starts 1100 BST)
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Northants 209 Surrey 113-4 (Northants 2pts, Surrey 3pts)

Nel's previous best Championship figures were 5-47 for Northants

Surrey's Andre Nel returned to haunt Northants by claiming Championship-best figures of 6-36 to bowl them out for 209 on day one at Northampton.

Nel, 31, who joined Northants in 2003, was helped by fellow South African Jade Dernbach (3-74) as Surrey made full use of a green-tinged pitch.

Only Stephen Peters (59) offered any real resistance as bowlers dominated.

That theme continued as Surrey closed on 113-4, David Wigley removing Mark Ramprakash and Mark Butcher.

Usman Afzaal (22 not out) and Jonathan Batty (13 not out) were together at the close and will be Surrey's best hopes of establishing a first-innings lead on day two.

But the day belonged to Nel, who removed Rob White and Mark Nelson, both caught behind by Batty, in his initial nine-over spell.

Batty also played a part in Northants captain Nicky Boje's dismissal, claiming a third catch this time off Dernbach, who also had Peters caught by Ramprakash at mid off soon after completing his 50 off 71 balls.

Nel returned to claim the scalps of David Willey and David Murphy before Andrew Hall became Australian Ryan Harris' first County Championship victim.

But Nel was not to be denied and completed his five-wicket haul against his former county by bowling David Lucas, and made it six by having Johan van der Watch caught at point to end a ninth-wicket stand of 58 with Monty Panesar, who was eventually dismissed by Dernbach for 38, one short of a career best score.

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