The County Championship made its earliest ever start on Good Friday, 3 April, with Surrey captain Rory Burns falling to the first dismissal of the season in farcical fashion. Burns was run out after just 10 minutes at Edgbaston, having driven Ed Barnard's throw to mid-off and set off optimistically only for wicketkeeper Kai Smith to complete the run-out.
Surrey's star-studded top order, boasting nine Test cricketers between the two sides, struggled early on. Jamie Smith made nine before edging Ethan Bamber, while Ollie Pope survived two lives but fell for 20 to Bamber's inswinger. Dan Lawrence also nicked to slip, and Dom Sibley's watchful 21 ended when Chris Woakes found his edge. At 65 for six, Surrey were in dire straits.
However, a stirring fightback ensued as Ben Foakes and Tom Lawes added a record 155 for the seventh wicket against Warwickshire. Foakes, a former England wicketkeeper, compiled a fine 128, while Lawes struck a career-best 83 from 121 balls. Their partnership steered Surrey to 328 all out, turning a precarious position into a competitive total.
The day's play was a hard-fought contest, blending seasoned professionals and young hopefuls. Despite the early start and a farcical opening wicket, the County Championship once again proved its worth as the nursery for English cricketers.
