Yorkshire simply had no answer for Surrey’s Ian Ward whose recent form suggests we may not have seen the last of him on the international stage, writes Marcus Hook.

An unbeaten 124 off 217 balls from the 29-year-old saw his side through to a convincing double over the Tykes, who were also humbled at Headingley.

Previously, the Oval outfit had not beaten Yorkshire twice in the same season since 1973. That year John Edrich’s side went on to finish second in the County Championship, as did the 1959 team led by Peter May when the feat was last achieved prior to that. Hopefully this is not an unlucky omen for Adam Hollioake’s confident charges.

One thing is almost certain, though. The result renders it unlikely that Surrey will have a tilt in 2003. Yorkshire are now left needing at least three victories, but five to be safe, from their last six fixtures - two of which are against Warwickshire, currently the competition’s form side.

Wanting 127 more runs to win when play resumed the hosts reached their target before lunch. Ian Ward, who now has 961 championship runs at an average of 60.06, added 57 to his overnight score.

Yorkshire, who needed to make early inroads to stand any chance of victory, were just as frustrated by Ian Salisbury, who kept Ward company in a fourth wicket stand worth 100 in 24 overs. The nightwatchman made 59 in 70 deliveries, including ten fours and a six over long-on off Darren Lehmann which brought up the hundred partnership in 85 minutes.

But, next ball, with victory in sight, the former England leg-spinner was caught behind off the Australian, on whom he turned the tables when he struck three fours off his adversary’s first two overs.

Alistair Brown, who drove his first ball through extra cover for four, was content to play a supporting role as Ian Ward saw Surrey home. The left-handed opener’s innings, which lasted 262 minutes, also contained 21 boundaries, including two in the penultimate over from Wigley - one driven through extra cover and the other cut backward of point.

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