The Lions' riposte when it finally came last weekend was fierce and decisive, writes DOMINIC BURGESS.

Sussex were brushed aside in the championship game by a considerable margin.

This certainly went some way to make up for a dismal showing against Derbyshire in the Natwest quarter-final.

Now all eyes are on the current championship match with the same opponents.

The main reason for Surrey's success in the four-day game this season has been contributions from all the squad members at key times.

This is doubly important when Test calls cause stars to be missing and has been underpinned by Adam Hollioake's insistence on unity and mutual respect.

This does not hide the fact that Saqlain has given the crucial edge.

His ability to bamboozle batsmen is staggering and his career best 7 for 30 in last week's game was richly deserved.

If they go on to win the title, it will be to Surrey's credit that they did it with a finger spinner as their overseas player.

Alec Stewart and Ali Brown both fell just short of centuries to ensure that Saqlain's efforts were not wasted and that the side earned themselves an extra day off.

Martin Bicknell can be well pleased with his week's work which culminated in a call up to the first class counties' side to face South Africa.

His contribution has been immense with both bat and ball and no one deserves the recognition more than he.

Congratulations also to Alec Stewart on securing his first win as England captain in the match at Trent Bridge and leaping to second in the world rankings for batsmen.

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