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Surrey sent spinning

Derbyshire (154-4) bt Surrey (153) by 6 wkts

Derbyshire's injury list was so long that their coach, Colin Wells, was called to duty for his first game since 1996. But the crisis did not stop them inflicting another heavy defeat on Surrey.

The match was featureless and produced low scores because it was played on a reconditioned pitch which bounced unevenly and allowed copious spin.

Derbyshire's start was even poorer than Surrey's, but Paul Titchard, batting with application and discretion for an unbeaten 44, and Robin Weston turned their fortunes with a stand of 74.

While most England players returned to their counties, Surrey, losers in their last three matches, had to make do without Alec Stewart, Adam Hollioake and Graham Thorpe for a match in which runs were scarce.

Surrey lost big hitters Ally Brown and Ben Hollioake in acquiring 34 runs and gained some ground thereafter when Mark Butcher played some fine drives while the pitch retained the effects of the roller and the hard ball came on to the bat.

Butcher was fourth out at 78, in the 15th over, a third victim of pace bowler Michael Deane, making his debut in the first team, as was Anthony Woolley, who came on first change and bowled his nine overs tidily.

The only other stage when the innings was on an even keel was when Ian Ward and Gareth Batty added 48 for the sixth wicket. Late momentum was difficult to achieve against accurate spin bowling by the two left-handers, Ian Blackwell and Glenn Roberts, and Wells.