Sri Lanka star Kumar Sangakkara hit his fifth Championship century of the summer to keep Surrey on course for the Division Two title at The Oval.
The left-hander made 101 against Northants as the match finally got under way after an opening day washout.
Sangakkara hit a six and 13 fours and shared half-century stands with Steven Davies (21) and Jason Roy (32).
He was eventually caught behind off Rob Keogh (2-115), but Sam Curran saw them to 378-8 at stumps with an unbeaten 52.
Form guide favours Surrey |
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Surrey are unbeaten in their last seven Championship games this season, winning five of them – and have not lost to Northants in the last nine four-day meetings between the two sides. |
It was the 17-year-old’s maiden first-class half-century and took 87 balls, with a six and eight fours, offering further evidence of his potential as a future all-rounder.
Curran added 71 with Gary Wilson (49) and his first order of business on the third morning will be to help them eke out the remaining 22 runs required for a fifth batting bonus point.
Surrey need a maximum of 17 points from the game to seal the title, depending on Lancashire’s result against Essex in a match which also lost the opening day to rain.
Surrey wicketkeeper Gary Wilson told BBC London 94.9:
“It was a pretty good day, it was tough conditions. Credit to the openers, I thought they saw off the new ball pretty well.
“It wasn’t easy, there was a bit of spin there as well as seam, so hopefully if we can push on and get to 400 and look to bowl well we can put them under pressure.
“I don’t think I’m qualified to say how good he [Sangakkara] is, it’s amazing he’s got the hunger to keep doing it and he does it for us in every format as well.”
