COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION TWO, The Oval:
CLOSE OF PLAY, DAY ONE: Surrey 334-4 (Surrey 3pts, Glamorgan 1pt)
23-26 September

Former England batsman Usman Afzaal hit 24 fours and a six in his 170 not out

Usman Afzaal hit an unbeaten century to rescue Surrey from 51-3 and dent Glamorgan's slim chances of promotion on the first day at The Oval.

After the home side won the toss, Garnett Kruger struck twice and James Harris once to leave them in trouble.

But Afzaal shared 103 with Arun Harinath (57) and an unbroken stand of 180 with Matt Spriegel (71no) to give the home side the advantage.

Afzaal was 170 not out, with Surrey on 334-4, when bad light forced the close.

Surrey began the day badly, losing openers Michael Brown and Jon Batty inside the first 10 overs.

Stewart Walters combined with Harinath to take the score past 50. But, when the Surrey skipper was trapped lbw by Kruger, it was left to Afzaal and Harinath to launch the fight back.

Their partnership lasted 30 overs, left-hander Harinath posting his maiden first-class half-century before being caught at leg slip by Jim Allenby off Robert Croft.

But Afzaal, now supported by Spriegel, went on to make his third Championship hundred of the season from 173 balls with a drive to the point boundary.

Glamorgan's misery was complete when Spriegel was dropped by wicketkeeper Mark Wallace off the bowling off Mark Cosgrove.

And Matthew Maynard's men now face an uphill task to overhaul Essex and Northants in the race for promotion.

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