THE last thing Surrey need is to reach their deciding relegation match in nine days’ time having not only to beat Middlesex but also to deny them bonus points. That scenario became more likely by the minute yesterday, after Warwickshire won a crucial toss and claimed regular wickets in helpful conditions.

With 149 overs already lost, Surrey should probably avoid defeat, but they will do well to claim more than one batting point. As James Anyon removed three men in 14 balls after tea, they slid to 128 for six.

Anyon held a magnificent, left-handed return catch inches from the ground to punish Jonathan Batty’s firm, defensive push with one of several balls that gained lift. Batty was followed, leg-before, by Alistair Brown to one that, this time, kept low. Rikki Clarke, who played with his customary insouciant abandon to belt 63 from 59 balls, fell on the square leg boundary soon after he had been reprieved on 54.

It was one of three chances put down by Warwickshire, who then allowed Tim Murtagh to escape on four when he clipped Dougie Brown to mid-wicket. Azhar Mahmood concluded Anyon’s ten-over spell of three for 36 by driving him straight for six, but he then top-edged a hook to cover.

The all-out aggression continued with a square slash by Saqlain Mushtaq that felled David Shepherd, the umpire, taking evasive action at point. Comments that he would need a winch to be righted were confounded when, eventually, he rocked nimbly to his feet.

Such fleetness was absent from both left-handed openers, earlier, as Scott Newman, for 12, and Mark Butcher, for 30, touched lifting balls to first slip. Mark Ramprakash reached 16 from 18 overs but was undone by Carter’s surprise bounce. His colleagues’ approach could hardly have been more contrasting. A head-up drive saw Murtagh taken at deep mid-off for 17 and Mohammad Akram sky to extra cover for 12.

• Rain saved and frustrated in equal measure on Saturday. Kent were rescued as they slipped to 192 for seven against Middlesex, while Yorkshire’s promotion push was dented with only five overs possible at Headingley.