County cricket talking points: Surrey and Warwickshire go clear of the pack

The Trans-Thames derby illustrated why the southern county can expect another tussle for the pennant come September and why the northern side face a nervous battle for survival. Two seam attacks full of experience and talent had, yet again this heatless spring, handy conditions for bowling and both did well. The difference was, to nobody’s surprise, in the batting.

Surrey found a couple of scores from captain Rory Burns (88) and his likely successor Jamie Smith (97), matching Middlesex’s top guns, Sam Robson (76) and Pieter Malan (66). But the impact of the fall of the fourth wicket told the story, Middlesex’s 188 for four flattered to deceive, all out for 209; Surrey’s 190 for four was the foundation for doubling their score before the innings closed. A lead of 171 was plenty for the five-strong Surrey seam attack to work with and Burns banked another comfortable 22 points to stay top of the table.

Warwickshire’s seam attack is also enjoying the early season conditions, knocking over Essex twice in fewer than 100 overs to hang on to Surrey’s coattails, three points off the leaders.

It’s still something of a jolt to see Chris Rushworth’s name on a Warwickshire card, but the veteran pacer is as comfortable as a bear in the woods after his move from Durham, the signing of the season so far. Of course, he’s so grooved into his work, relentlessly searching for a flaw in the pitch and a flaw in the batter’s technique, that a little juice underfoot and a little cloud overhead is all he needs. Thirty wickets in five matches is his Haalandish haul with power to add.

Hampshire might have expected to join the pacesetters after securing a first-innings lead of 278 at Canterbury, but the home side showed admirable fortitude to bat