In the same way that Schumacher, Michael that is, is currently making a mockery of the infant Formula One season, it’s not even May and the bookies must be considering the wisdom of accepting any more bets on Surrey becoming the 2002 county champions. Their odds have now been slashed to 1-2 on.

Despite the loss of thirty-two overs, the visitors completed Yorkshire’s humiliation inside three days to register their second resounding victory of the new campaign. It left the home side with plenty to ponder. Afterwards Darren Lehmann, who was not alone in having a match to forget, conceded: “We have a long way to make up on Surrey. We were totally outplayed in all departments - they batted, bowled and fielded very well, certainly better than we did.”

At one stage Yorkshire were 80 for seven and precariously close to recording their heaviest defeat at the hands of the county which gave up the title last summer. Although the record set in 1898 remains intact, yesterday’s result still represents one of the worst in the Tykes’ illustrious 139-year history.

It was only lower-order face-saving from Richard Blakey (31 off 68 balls), Chris Silverwood (38 from 35 deliveries) and Chris Taylor, who batted longer than anyone else had in the game for his unbeaten 52, that spared the home side from total and utter embarrassment.

The pitch was no help to the batsmen’s confidence, but it was of Yorkshire’s making.

Following an early lunch Ryan Sidebottom played around a straight ball and was bowled for an interesting fourteen. Having been dismissed for his lowest score against Surrey in the first innings, Darren Lehmann was tamely caught and bowled in Martin Bicknell’s next over for a new personal worst. Then Michael Lumb edged Alex Tudor to fourth slip where Bicknell pulled off his fourth catch of the contest.

Gary Fellows played his shots until his luck ran out to a ball that skidded through. Gavin Hamilton, whose days in county cricket look numbered, fell leg before to the impressive Azhar Mahmood. Taylor and Blakey then added 49 in 17 overs, before the latter was caught at first slip off Ormond and Silverwood’s fireworks helped to contribute another 59. Having just brought up the 200, Steve Kirby was Yorkshire’s last man out when he was lbw to Azhar.

Afterwards the Surrey captain Mark Butcher said: “It was a fantastic performance. I could not be happier. The season is seven days old and we have played as well as it is possible to play on all seven. We were disappointed to lose the championship last year without much of a fight. We did not do ourselves justice, so we want to put it right this time.”

The two sides meet next at Guildford, which has been a lucky ground for the home side in recent years.

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