Surrey opener Burns Hampshire with fine ton

Dominic Sibley, left, and Rory Burns. Picture: Neil Marshall

The opener looked at ease as he compiled 122 on the first day of the County Championship division one clash.

Hampshire pegged the visitors back in the final session – as they closed on 332 for four.

However, it is the home side’s relegation rivals who are now firmly in control.

Surrey skipper Gareth Batty refused the chance to bowl first before winning the toss.

And Burns, with the equally impressive Dominic Sibley, saw off the first session with ease.

Burns, who passed 4,500 first class runs, reached his 25th half-century off just 54 deliveries.

And he continued to cash in after lunch, playing the aggressor to Sibley’s watchful style.

Burns reached his ton off 144 balls, while it took his opening partner 141 to register a half-century.

The partnership appeared impenetrable with every Hampshire option seemingly exhausted.

But then leg-spinner Mason Crane had Burns, whose innings included 19 fours, caught at slip by Sean Ervine in the penultimate over before tea with the score on 208.

Hampshire keeper Lewis McManus then smartly swivelled and stumped Zafar Ansari to give Crane (two for 78) his second wicket

Sibley and Aaron Finch took the score along to 271 before the former was finally dismissed with the second new ball.

Needing just one run for his second County Championship century, the 20-year-old was bowled by a Gareth Berg (two for 47) delivery which moved back off the seam to clatter into the off stump.

Sibley’s 297-minute 99 came off 265 balls and included 11 fours. Berg, who finished the day as the pick of the Hampshire bowlers, then had a short and feisty battle with England limited overs star Jason Roy.

The seamer beat Roy’s outside edge twice and had an appeal for leg before wicket turned down before finally trapping his man in front for a duck.

Meanwhile, Australia international Finch was playing an entertaining knock at the other end and reached stumps unbeaten on 56.

He received support from Steven Davies (21 not out) and the duo will aim to put Hampshire to the sword again on day two.