AS IF not content with his eight first-class hundreds this season, Mark Ramprakash scored what was his first one-day century for three years. No doubt refreshed after a 15-day break from competitive cricket — he missed the championship match at Colchester for personal reasons — the Surrey run-machine churned out a superb unbeaten 106 from 101 balls to propel his side to a formidable total of 277.

Yorkshire’s daunting pursuit began disastrously when they lost three wickets in their first three overs — one to a brilliant catch by Alistair Brown at mid-wicket when he clung on to Michael Lumb’s hard-hit pull. Although Darren Lehmann threatened with a classy 45 off 41 balls, when he was fifth out at 73 in the 14th over, playing across the line, the outcome was virtually inevitable. Defeat for Yorkshire effectively leaves them with no hope of promotion, while Surrey remain unbeaten.

While a 5,000 crowd revelled at the sight of every Surrey batsmen bar Scott Newman scoring at a run a ball or quicker, a fair number would have wondered at the identity of the side’s new leg spinner. It was none other than Chris Schofield, whom Lancashire released at the end of the 2004 season. With Anil Kumble having gone home, and Ian Salisbury troubled by a knee injury, Surrey registered the twice-capped England player on Friday after some good performances for Suffolk this summer.

Schofield was introduced into the attack at 91 for five after 17 overs, a perfect time to be reintegrated. His first over, a very tidy one, cost only one, and he bowled a decent spell, hardly dropping short and finally gaining his reward when Nick Thornicroft top-edged a sweep to deep mid-wicket. Two months shy of his 28th birthday, Schofield could yet revive his career.

Another much younger leg spinner, Adil Rashid, was making his one-day debut for Yorkshire. The 18-year-old performed respectably, conceding 39 runs from his first seven overs on a day when others went for more, until Azhar Mahmood crashed 24 off his final over, the 37th, hardly an ideal time for one so inexperienced to be bowling.

Ramprakash collected only 11 fours but scored quickly, his fifty coming off 53 balls. His relentless brilliance throughout this campaign can only strengthen his claims for a new three-year contract, a topic of debate within the club.