Surrey are crowned county champions to end 16-year drought

By Adam Ellis

Morne Morkel has struck the winning runs to deliver Surrey their first County Championship title in 16 years.

Victory over Worcestershire at New Road sees the team reach the finishing line with two games to spare in the season, after Morkel and Rikki Clarke shared the strike to see Surrey past their target of 272.

The county’s crowning moment was a result of their eight consecutive win in the competition to complete an unbeaten season – a feat achieved by reigning champions Essex in 2017.

Defeat for Worcestershire deepens their relegation fears as they watched Surrey’s opening pair of Rory Burns and Mark Stoneman combine for a 111-run partnership in the chase.

For Surrey, they have looked head and shoulders above the competition in Division One and lie 61 points ahead of Somerset in second.

The title caps a wonderful 2018 for the county and Alec Stewart with Sam Curran and Ollie Pope presenting themselves as international calibre players on duty with England, while Surrey Stars dominated the Kia Super League with victory at Hove.

More to follow…