County Championship: Key feels full force of Newman's blade

Robert Key was sent to hospital for X-rays after being struck on the wrist by Surrey's Scott Newman while fielding at short leg at Tunbridge Wells. Key had made a persuasive case to be restored to the England side after scoring twin centuries in the match.

Robert Key was sent to hospital for X-rays after being struck on the wrist by Surrey's Scott Newman while fielding at short leg at Tunbridge Wells. Key had made a persuasive case to be restored to the England side after scoring twin centuries in the match.

After Kent's record third-wicket partnership of 323, it was Surrey's turn to dominate on an increasingly benign pitch that might have moved many an unscrupulous bowler to tamper with the ball.

The visitors, chasing 406 on the last day, set off with a first-wicket stand of 280 between Newman, who made 167 off 266 balls with 16 fours and three sixes, and Richard Clinton, who hit his first Championship century, 105 off 285 balls with six fours and a six.

The left-handers are not among Surrey's established stars. Clinton, 24, the son of the former Kent and Surrey opener Graeme, had spells at several counties including Kent before arriving at Surrey. Newman, 25, had a strong season last year and scored 117 and 219 in the last Championship match against Glamorgan.

After making 99 on debut in 2002 and 183 in his third match, Newman spent a year in the Second XI. Against Derbyshire at The Oval, he and Nadeem Shahid put on 552 for the first wicket, just three runs short of the all-time record. Clinton weighed in with 213 for Derbyshire, so there was reason to think that they could knock off the runs on their own.

Surrey sent in Ally Brown to smash their way to victory but they eventually settled for a draw on 333 for 4.

Also in Division One, Sussex looked to extend their record of five straight wins in all competitions against Middlesex at Hove as they chased 314 to win, but had to hold on for a nailbiting draw as their last pair played out 11 deliveries to finish on 285 for 9.

Murray Goodwin (88) put on 146 with Richard Montgomerie (52). But then Alan Richardson picked up 4 for 40 and Scott Styris 4 for 83. Earlier, the visitors were all out for 244 with left-arm seamer Jason Lewry taking 6 for 65.

In Division Two, Darren Gough claimed 5 for 85 at his old Headingley stomping ground as Yorkshire, all out for 408, were made to follow on by Essex for a second time this season despite Tim Bresnan's career-best 70. Still 214 in arrears, they held out for the draw on 238 for 5 thanks to the in-form Phil Jaques (89) and Anthony McGrath (50).

Yorkshire remain unbeaten and closed the gap on off-duty Durham at the top.

In the basement battle at Derby between Derbyshire and Leicestershire, the home side will look to force a result today after winning only once in all competitions - their last Championship win at home was in June 2002. Michael Di Venuto (73) and James Bryant (61) took them to 271 for 7, which gives them a lead of 243.