After a gap dating back to 3 July, the Vitality County Championship returned, to the relief of many who felt that a seven-week pause at the height of the summer was too long. But the break in the season had done nothing to slow down Surrey’s relentless march towards a third successive champions’ pennant. If they achieve the hat-trick, they will become the first side to do this since Yorkshire in 1966-68, as they evolve into the cricketing equivalent of Manchester City. Struggling Lanca...
