Surrey 211 for 8 (Smith 57*, Hannon-Dalby 3-29) lead Warwickshire 150 (Mousley 55, Worrall 4-38) by 61 runs

Patience and persistence are nonetheless obligatory attributes in terms of successful the LV= County Championship and each Surrey and Warwickshire had these qualities in abundance at Edgbaston. It was a day of toil, a serious-minded affair between arguably probably the most tough-minded sides round and, on the shut of the second day, it was Surrey who had stolen a slight benefit.

Surrey, the defending champions, led by 61 runs with two wickets remaining as they sought to claim themselves towards the county that took the pennant the season earlier than. There can be some drained minds and our bodies on the finish of a day that illustrated that county gamers don't at all times throw the bat fatalistically when circumstances are within the seam bowlers' favour.

"I thought we bowled pretty well all day," Hannon-Dalby stated. "We know that here at Edgbaston, day two, if the sun is out generally it is a nice time to bat. They bowled brilliantly yesterday, albeit in helpful conditions, so we just had to try to emulate them."

Surrey's captain, Rory Burns has gained solely three of his final 17 tosses, so he won't apologise for the slight benefit that successful this one has given his aspect. Seam-bowling circumstances had been very best on the opening day, however even when blue skies broke out within the closing session, there was nonetheless help available and the favour in bowling first was not extreme. Smith performed effectively.

The path had been laid by many who went earlier than, firstly Burns, who was fairly perky in making 32 from 81 balls, wanting as if he's perching on the sting of a rest room seat because the bowler approaches after which bobbing up because the bowler delivers, as if rudely interrupted, which he finally was by an inswinger from Chris Rushworth which had him palpably lbw.

Ben Foakes continued the nice work, the sober aspect of dapper as he reached 39 from 100 balls earlier than he fell tamely towards Hannon-Dalby with a vanguard to brief midwicket as he tried to clip him by the leg aspect. "The longer I batted, the worse I got," Foakes stated. This has not been a pitch that turns into gentler on a batter the longer they keep, which makes Smith's easeful innings all of the extra spectacular.

An hour's delay for a moist outfield didn't assist Warwickshire. The clouds had begun to lighten by the point Surrey had taken the final two wickets and begun their reply.

"April brings the sweet Spring showers / On and on for hours and hours" sang Flanders and Swann, and so they had been no kinder about the remainder of the months that make up the English local weather both, however maybe this depressing begin to the season is lastly starting to ease up. Somebody might have even risked taking a coat off within the afternoon.

Warwickshire's bowlers held their self-discipline. Rushworth introduced Dom Sibley's return to Edgbaston to an early finish with the help of Rob Yates at slip and Hasan Ali's second ball trapped Ollie Pope lbw. When Ryan Patel edged Hannon-Dalby to second slip it was 99 for 4 and the match was finely balanced, however Smith wrested the initiative till two wickets within the final two overs rewarded Warwickshire's self-discipline.

David Hopps writes on county cricket for ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps