County Championship: Surrey get on top of Lancs at Old Trafford

Ansari left the field with the Surrey physios after suffering his injury trying to stop an Ashwell Prince cover drive

Surrey put themselves in a position of strength to claim the Division Two title as they again had the better of things on day two against Lancashire.

The visitors ended the day concerned about the fitness of Zafar Ansari, who was taken to hospital after injuring his hand on the day of his call-up to the England tour squad.

But it was Surrey's day as, resuming on 262-4, they went on to make 480.

Sam Curran then took three wickets as Lancashire stumbled to 114-4 at stumps.

Phil Mustard, making his Lancashire debut at Old Trafford following his loan signing from Durham, made 43 before becoming a victim of Surrey skipper Gareth Batty, but much now depends on this summer's top run-scorer Ashwell Prince.

Lancashire v Surrey drew a sparse crowd on day two at Old Trafford

In the battle of two already-promoted clubs, Lancashire ended the day still needing a further 190 runs to avoid the follow-on, with Prince still there on 38.

Earlier, England fast bowler James Anderson claimed the 700th first-class wicket of his career in his first game since picking up a side strain in the middle of the Ashes series.

He ended with figures of 3-85 in 30 overs, but it was ominous for the home side that once-capped England spinner Simon Kerrigan found enough turn to take 4-128 from 43 overs.

Jason Roy (66), Gary Wilson (51) and captain Batty (50 not out) all made half centuries to add to the two made a day earlier by Ansari and Rory Burns.

But, despite Batty finding turn late on in the final session, the day ended badly for fellow spinner Ansari when he hurt his hand trying to hold onto a fierce drive from Prince at cover point.

700 first-class wickets for James Anderson

Steven Davies's wicket took James Anderson's career haul to 700 first-class wickets

Anderson finished with 3-85 from 30 overs on his first appearance since July

Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince:

"It was a tough day. They were in a good position overnight and kicked on. We would have liked the wicket to spin a bit more.

"It was a tough day and then we lost a few wickets in the evening session which set us back a bit, but we are still in the game and there is still some fighting to do.

"We fight, that's what we are all about, and it is a great opportunity for some of the younger guys like Jordan Clark and Arron Lilley - who can both strike the ball well.

"It is maybe not the circumstances they are used to going in at, but it gives them a chance to play a different style of game."

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart told BBC London 94.9:

"To get 480 is a great effort. Yesterday wasn't easy with the overhead conditions but overall that's a really good total. If that was offered to us up front we'd have said thank you very much.

"Bowling-wise, you go a bowler down with no Zafar - that's far from ideal - but 17-year-old Sam Curran has bowled very nicely and got the ball to swing.

"Tom Curran has been fantastic all summer, over 60 first-class wickets now. As a white ball bowler he's bowled up front and at the death, he's a great all-round cricketer and I hope England Lions recognise that when the sides are announced on Wednesday because he's earned the right.

"He's someone who will get better and better and will wear an England shirt in the very near future. He's done a man's job. You think he's a senior player but he's just 20. What he's done has been incredible, he's led from the front and been a stand out player."