IN MATT Prior and Michael Yardy, Sussex have two highly-talented locally-produced cricketers who could go on to higher things in the game. That they also have the temperaments crucial to their international ambitions was evident yesterday as they teamed up to rebut a desperate Surrey fourth-innings counter-attack.

Prior and Yardy’s response to a nervy Sussex plunge to 32 for four, chasing 125 to win, was to fashion a match-winning partnership forged on the added pressure of a situation made that much bigger by its wider significance. Sussex and Surrey’s respective positions in the championship table always meant the rewards of victory here would be great. Conversely, the legacy of defeat could be a serious one, especially so for Surrey.

Despite their spirited late new-ball effort, Surrey collectively batted without distinction and suffered by comparison with Sussex in every department including body language.

Only when Mark Ramprakash was making 97 on the first day did Surrey look in control and when he departed to a good one from Naved-ul-Hasan yesterday, the writing looked on the wall. By then Scott Newman’s fluent innings had also been ended by Naved and Rikki Clarke never suggested permanence despite some cleanly-struck blows.

Mushtaq Ahmed eventually got his man, despite Clarke trying to hit his way out of trouble against him. All Surrey had to offer from their middle and late order was some effective hitting from Azhar Mahmood and it was the Pakistan all-rounder who then caused initial panic in the Sussex second innings with two wickets and a sharp catch at third slip.

Tea, taken at 33 for four, helped Sussex to regroup and afterwards Prior struck two sixes and ten fours in a 48-ball, 66 not out, while Yardy showed characteristic phlegm.