Former England Test opener Dom Sibley hit his fourth century of the 2025 County Championship in a crucial innings for Surrey, as he returned to the field after retiring hurt on day three.
Sibley was out for a rare low score in Surrey's first innings against Warwickshire, as they looked to keep their noses ahead of Nottinghamshire going into the final two rounds of the Championship. The defending champions were bowled out for 246 on day one, before they nipped out Warwickshire for just a two-run lead on day two.
Dom Sibley battles injury to score fighting hundred
In the evening session of the second day, Sibley played a key role in strengthening Surrey's position. He batted out the day unbeaten with Ollie Pope, Rory Burns having departed shortly after reaching a half-century. However, as the players walked out on the morning of day three, it was Ben Foakes who accompanied Pope to the crease. An overnight recurrence of a groin injury meant Sibley was unable to take the field at the start of play. However, as most of the day was washed out by rain, the game was more or less paused from lunchtime onwards.
Sibley still didn't return to the middle when Surrey lost their first wicket on day four, only appearing when Ryan Patel was out for 10, leaving them seven down. He made his way down the steps from the dressing room at The Oval, accompanied by captain Burns, who acted as Sibley's runner.
Are runners allowed in the County Championship?
While regulations for international matches prohibit runners, County Championship regulations defer to MCC Law 25 on runners, which states: The umpires shall allow a runner for a batter if they are satisfied... that the batter has sustained an injury that affects his/her ability to run and that this occurred during the match... for any other wholly acceptable reason."
Sibley reached his 26th first-class century before Surrey declared their innings on 391-8. Pressure on Surrey has ramped up during the match, as they look to maintain their lead at the top of the division one table going into the penultimate round. Nottinghamshire, Surrey's nearest challengers, edged out a tight win over Worcestershire at New Road, keeping their title hopes alive before they head to The Oval for a crucial round next week.
Match 102, Surrey vs Warwickshire
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