Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Alex Lees is leading by example. The Durham skipper has reached the 30th first-class 100 of his career and has put together a 100 partnership with Ollie Robinson, who has 59.

Lees could have been run out, though, on 99. It was a nervy moment, but he just got home before Jordan Clark broke the stumps at the bowler's end.

The century came in 207 balls and included 16x4s. It is his 19th for Durham.

So far so good for the batting team this afternoon, but there's still a long long way to go. The deficit is 598 and the new ball is due in five overs.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Durham have reached 150 but for the loss of three wickets following Surrey's record score yesterday.

That follow-on target is 671 and in simple terms they have to bore the living pants off everyone with the bat today - in a Surrey stylee - and do the same tomorrow. And bat all of the way until the end of this game.

Skipper Alex Lees is leading from the front and has faced 169 balls for his 66. Ollie Robinson has 24.

It is hotter today than it was yesterday but Durham have to make sure they force Surrey into a long and miserable time in the field, just like they had to endure over five sessions at The Oval.

Josh Coburn speaks to Radio Tees about his time at Middlesbrough and his reasons for leaving the club to join Millwall.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene and three people were taken to hospital, Durham Police say.

Barnsley sign 21-year-old West Brom forward Reyes Cleary on a three-year contract.

Choose your verdict on Newcastle's third shirt for the 2025-26 season.

A fenced off footpath is being planned for Newcastle's Town Moor as part of the plan.

Cain International confirms it has withdrawn from the studio development on the River Wear.

Surrey rack up 820-9 dec against Durham, the fourth highest total in the history of county cricket.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

It hasn't rained but it's poured for Durham spinner George Drissell today.

Surrey declared on 820-9. Drissell certainly took one for the team.

His figures of 1-247 are the most expensive in County Championship history. It beats Claude Henderson's 3-235, for Leicestershire here against Surrey in 2006.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Surrey made it to 814-8 with a six from Will Jacks, making it their highest score in first-class cricket, beating their 811 against Somerset in 1899. I wasn't at that one.

It is also the highest total against Durham, beating Warwickshire's 810-4 declared in 1994.

Jacks was caught out moments later for 119 and Surrey then decided to declare after 127 overs.

Mentally, Durham must be on the floor. They have to find the fighting spirit not to get totally destroyed here. They have their work cut out. There are 28 overs left in the heat of day two at The Oval.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

I have looked through a long list of highest scores in the history of the County Championship.

This Surrey total is the highest score by a team who lost the toss and were put in. Just let that sink in!

I am told the side winning the toss has decided to bowl in something like 20 games in a row here. But this time that decision by Alex Lees has certainly put the matter in the spotlight.

Northumbria Police says it is treating the death of the man in his 60s as unexplained.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

This stopped being a contest sometime yesterday.

Surrey have now passed 700 and have the second highest score against Durham. The highest is Warwickshire's 810-4 declared in 1994 when Brian Lara made 501 not out.

Dom Sibley has just become the fourth player to score 300 against Durham. Graeme Hick made 315 for Worcestershire in 2002 and Darren Lehmann 339 for Yorkshire in 2006.

It's been a monumental effort in this heat, but I will happily never see a Kookaburra ball game again on the basis of this one. Sadly there are still another two rounds of games to go with it.

Sibley now has Robert Abel's Surrey record of 357* in his sights. That was against Somerset in 1899.

My colleague Mark Church thinks they will declare at tea. Churchy also says Durham "are being slowly cooked" by Surrey. He's not wrong. But why they are still out there, I have no idea.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Dom Sibley has reached 200. He was nearly run out getting there as well.

His next target is 245 and a career-best score. His highest total to date is 244 in a draw against Kent in 2019.

Sibley's also added 209 with Dan Lawrence, who has 102.

Surrey's highest fourth wicket stand against Durham is 222, by Darren Bicknell and Ali Brown, in Darlington, in 1994. Expect all records to be broken today.

Martin Emmerson
BBC Radio Newcastle

Dom Sibley has moved onto 180 this morning and that is the highest score by a Surrey player against Durham.

It beats Mark Butcher's 169 in an innings win here in 1995. Surrey's highest total against Durham came that day too, when they made 652-9d. That will be broken today!

It's already very hot in London and Durham are a man down after Ben Raine suffered a foot injury yesterday. I really fear for Durham today because this looks like it is going to be a chastening experience.

The atmosphere is great though because there are 7,000 school children in the ground. But they are also in the danger zone. Dan Lawrence has just landed a six right in the middle of them.