Worrall's early double carries Surrey to brink of title

Australian-born bowler Dan Worrall has taken two wickets in the first over to keep Surrey firmly on track for a third successive County Championship title.

It provided the springboard for the London side to cruise to a 10-wicket win over Durham with a day to spare at the Oval.

Durham, who began the third day trailing by 152, never recovered after Worrall's stunning first-over attack.

Worrall and Sam Curran, in only his second Championship appearance of the season, each took four wickets as Durham were dismissed for 177 in their second innings.

Only Emilio Gay (48), who also fell to Worrall, offering prolonged resistance.

That left Surrey needing just 25 to complete their eighth win of the campaign. Captain Rory Burns and Dom Sibley knocked off the target in five overs.

It was their sixth victory at the Oval this season with only Somerset, who drew in April, denying them a clean sweep on home turf.

Surrey picked up 23 points which took them onto 221, 31 clear of Somerset with their match at Old Trafford still in the balance.

Surrey face Essex at Chelmsford in the final round with Somerset hosting Hampshire.

The tempo was set in the first over when Melbourne-born Worrall, who played for the local Stars but who now holds British citizenship, made a double breakthrough.

Dan Hogg lost his leg stump and Ben McKinney was beaten by a fine delivery. From then on, the outcome was never in doubt.