WHILE the Surrey attack continues to leak runs, Jamie Dalrymple completing a career-best 244 after play finally began at 4.15pm, the club have had to address a serious security breach at the Oval. Vandals gained entry to the ground on Thursday night and dug up a section of outfield within a few feet of the square. Thankfully, Bill Gordon, the head groundsman, was able to repair the damage.

An area parallel to the popping-creases at the Vauxhall End, measuring about ten metres by one, was dug up with a shovel. The Hobbs Gate entrance is guarded through the night and the vandals are thought to have scaled the perimeter wall. With so much international cricket scheduled to be staged here this summer, Surrey are taking no chances of a repetition.

David Stewart, the county’s chairman, revealed that a guard with a dog would spend last night encamped by the square. That may become a permanent arrangement, together with the installation of an infra-red sensory alarm that would go off if anyone were to encroach on the playing area at night.

It was a difficult day for Gordon. Apart from having to deal with the vandalism, which he did by excavating some turf outside the boundary under the Bedser Stand, he also had to contend with an inch of localised rain that fell overnight. Mopping up was then handicapped by the breakdown of a Super Sopper.

Dalrymple, resuming on 182, went past his previous best of 236 against Cambridge University and recorded the highest score by a Middlesex player against Surrey, passing Denis Compton’s 235 at Lord’s in 1946. He was bowled by Tim Murtagh’s slower ball, after more than seven hours at the crease, having faced 306 balls and hit 38 fours.

When Surrey batted again, an ugly spat took place between Jon Batty and David Nash. The players had to be separated by Jeff Evans, the umpire, after the Surrey captain reacted angrily to something that was said to him. After Batty, his concentration possibly disturbed, fell to what proved to be the last ball of the day, he and Nash were summoned to the umpires’ room. The officials and players alike declined to comment.