After losing their last nine wickets for just 41 runs against Derbyshire in their previous match, Glamorgan did not exactly possess the requisite self-belief to make as many as 281 runs for victory, even on a pitch with a short boundary in front of the Peter May Enclosure. Nor were they helped by the fact that no Glamorgan player had scored more than 39 in the NatWest Pro40 this season. David Hemp, their captain, did at least exceed that, but 183 from the last 20 overs was beyond their capabilities.

So it was as well for a reasonable crowd, deprived of championship cricket over four days here last week, that there was some entertainment earlier in the afternoon. Scott Newman’s 58 included 12 fours after the first over of Surrey’s innings was a maiden. Alistair Brown made the most of the short boundary, striking four sixes and two fours in his 56 from 48 balls, and Chris Schofield, who was unfortunate to be run out at the nonstriker’s end, hit the quickest half-century of the day, off 34 balls.

As if Glamorgan did not have sufficient concerns, what with being at the foot of both the Pro40 and championship, they were without Simon Jones and James Harris, who were injured.

Hemp’s innings of 59, which came off 57 balls and included five fours and three sixes, gave the scorecard an illusory appearance. In reality, in spite of Andrew Davies striking Brown for three sixes in succession, Glamorgan never had a chance of winning, which only emphasised the downside of this format.