Surrey script history with highest run chase in 98 years against Kent in Division One of County Championship

In the ongoing County Championship, Surrey broke into the record books by thrashing Kent in Division One on Wednesday, June 14. Just twice in the entire history of the County Championship has a squad efficiently embarked on a target above 500. Overall, it wound up rating as the eighth-most successful run chase in the history of first-class cricket. In doing so, Kent achieved the second-highest target ever, only missing by a whisker to equal the highest record set by the Middlesex County.

Notably, they scored 502 runs back in 1925 while Kent finished their run chase with 501 on the board. During the penultimate day of the contest at Canterbury, the side managed to chase off the gigantic mark with five wickets in hand with impressive centuries from Dom Sibley (140 off 415 balls), Ben Foakes (124 off 211 balls), and Jamie Smith (114 off 77 balls).

Notably, Surrey got bowled out for 145 runs after putting up 301 runs previously in the contest during the first innings. A 501-run mark was then set by Kent after they scored 344 runs. On the other hand, Smith's quick-fire hundred had given his team a strong base of play, as Surrey only required 238 to win on the final day. Interestingly enough, the Indian left-arm quick, Arshdeep Singh, made his debut for Kent and picked up two wickets each in both innings.

Surrey climbed up to the fifth spot in the County Championship standings

Dom Sibley and Ben Foakes fought patiently and strongly, ensuring that they saved Surrey from getting behind, although they would have wanted to score more swiftly to win. Nonetheless, as an outcome of the accomplishment, Surrey climbed up to the fifth spot in the County Championship standings, whereas Kent are still in the fourth spot.

With this, Surrey will now take on Lancashire in their next fixture on June 25, while Kent will clash with Northamptonshire on the same day in the Division One of the County Championship.