Surrey trail Nottinghamshire by 204 runs after Dom Sibley's 77 and Notts' 415 first-innings score.
Surrey sit on 211-4 in reply to Nottinghamshire's first-innings 415 at Trent Bridge in the 2026 County Championship Division One. Dom Sibley struck 77 while Dan Lawrence made 52 not out as the visitors fought to stay in the game. Nottinghamshire's bowlers Josh Tongue and Olly Stone applied pressure early, sharing three wickets between them. The hosts hold a 204-run lead with six wickets still to fall in Surrey's second innings.
Dom Sibley batted for over four hours against a strong Nottinghamshire attack, frustrating the home side with a vital 77. His innings came as Surrey closed the second day on 211-4, with England pace bowler Tongue claiming two wickets for 38 runs. Sibley narrowly missed a third century in three matches but anchored the innings against the threat of quick bowlers. He was eventually dismissed caught behind off spinner Liam Patterson-White after Dan Lawrence survived a difficult chance at 43.
Nottinghamshire finished their first innings at 415 after adding 98 runs for the last two wickets. Joe Clarke top-scored with 129 before being dismissed first ball on day two. Sean Abbott took the final wicket via a thin edge to Jamie Smith, who stepped in as wicketkeeper due to Ben Foakes' absence. Olly Stone and Fergus O'Neill added 24 for the ninth wicket before Stone and Tongue put together 74 for the final stand.
Surrey began the second day in a strong position at 119-1 before losing wickets to quick bowling. Josh Tongue returned after lunch and trapped Jamie Smith lbw with a short ball, sending him to the dressing room for 38. Ryan Patel followed shortly after, caught at short leg off a similar delivery by Tongue. Dan Lawrence and Sibley steadied the innings, but Patterson-White removed Sibley while Lawrence had earlier survived a tough chance off Olly Stone.
Olly Stone made an early breakthrough by dismissing Rory Burns with a top-edge catch after the opener tried to pull. Sean Abbott claimed his sixth wicket of the innings when he had Clarke caught behind early on. Tongue and Stone bowled with express pace as Nottinghamshire's captain sought to pile pressure on Surrey. The visitors ended the day on 137-3 after losing three wickets in quick succession during Tongue's second spell after lunch.
Jamie Smith, filling in for injured Ben Foakes, took a crucial catch to dismiss Joe Clarke early on day two. His presence behind the stumps allowed Nottinghamshire to maintain pressure through Abbott's wicket. Smith also kept tidily against the short-ball threat from England's pace battery. His contributions with the gloves added value to the hosts' dominant first innings.