County Championship: James Faulkner holds up Surrey charge

James Faulkner played his only Test match for Australia against England in 2013

James Faulkner hit a debut century as Lancashire saved the follow-on against Surrey on day three at The Oval.

The visitors slumped to 9-2 and then 108-6 in reply to the home side's 448.

But a maiden first-class ton for Australia all-rounder Faulkner (121) and Jordan Clark's 63 helped Lancashire to 342-8 at the close.

Earlier, after a half-hour delay for rain, Lancashire needed four overs to take Surrey's last two first-innings wickets for the addition of 13 runs.

Wicketkeeper Ben Foakes ended 63 not out in his first Championship outing for Surrey and took three catches in Lancashire's first innings, including one to dismiss Alviro Petersen when Stuart Meaker (2-81) forced the former South Africa Test opener to edge behind for 46.

Stuart Meaker celebrates the dismissal of Alex Davies that left Lancashire 108-6

Lancashire looked destined to follow on when Alex Davies' dismissal, again caught behind off pace bowler Meaker, left them six wickets down and still trailing by 340 runs.

But Faulkner, making his first Championship appearance for the Red Rose county since being signed as an overseas replacement for Peter Siddle, and Clark put on 183 for the seventh wicket to halt Surrey's progress.

Clark departed just before a late flurry of runs from Faulkner ensured Surrey would bat next, before Matt Dunn (3-59) clean bowled the 25-year-old from Tasmania to end a 152-ball innings that contained 15 fours.

Surrey wicketkeeper Ben Foakes told BBC London 94.9:

"We bowled really well at the start. We had them 108-6 and, in that position, you're really looking to enforce the follow-on.

"It wasn't to be - Faulkner and Clark played really well, and after the new ball it did go a little bit flat, so it was a little easier for batting.

"Hopefully something can still happen in the game. With the batting line-up we've got, you never know. It's going to be very tough, but if we can score quickly, we'll see what position we are in the game."