Surrey take control on third day against Derbyshire

A maiden first-class half century from James Burke has put Surrey in a strong position at tea on the third day of the LV County Championship Division Two match at Derby.

The 24-year-old shared a seventh wicket stand of 83 with skipper Gareth Batty, the highest of the match so far, to give Surrey a commanding lead of 347 with four sessions of the game remaining.

Surrey’s total of 315 was boosted by 61 extras, the most Derbyshire have conceded in a championship game, with England fast bowling candidate Mark Footitt bowling eleven no balls and three wides.

Although Footitt took four wickets to take his championship haul for the season to 39, his 26 overs cost 102 runs.