Surrey moved slightly ahead of Essex on the first day of their championship match at The Oval, with the hosts being stuck in to bat and finishing the day 293-5.
Surrey only lost one wicket in the first session as runs came slowly, but there were no real problems in the pitch with Jamie Porter snaring Zafar Ansari for 18. Rory Burns and Kumar Sangakkara looked pretty much at ease in cloudy conditions with Burns making 50 off 113 balls, and Sanga easing to his from 97 balls including a massive six into the OCS stand off Monty Panesar. Burns tried to repeat Sanga's six, but holed out to cover to go for 78. This brought Kevin Pietersen to the wicket, but he and Sanga would not have a glorious day, as Sanga was soon LBW to Ryder for 52.
Steven Davies and KP then batted through to tea and onwards to the new ball without too much trouble then KP fell LBW to Ryder's first ball back for a becalmed 32, and Jason Roy followed in the same fashion two balls later as Surrey slumped to 243-5.
It took a late 50 stand between Davies and Gary Wilson to see them through to the close, Davies 69 (50 from 94 balls), Wilson 23. The worries for Essex would be quick wickets in the morning and the state of Greg Smith who went off injured mid over.
