A spectacular three-wicket burst by Dan Worrall reignited Surrey's hopes for victory after Alex Lees and Ollie Robinson's formidable 152-run partnership had bolstered Durham's chances of securing a draw at the Kia Oval. Lees showcased his prowess with a remarkable 125, while Robinson contributed a swift 79 off 105 balls, guiding Durham to a total of 343-9 by the end of the third day.

However, Worrall's exceptional bowling saw the dismissals of both Lees and Robinson, along with New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, triggering a collapse from 266-3 to 284-7. Matt Fisher's crucial wicket of George Drissell just before tea further compounded Durham's woes, as they lost four wickets for a mere 29 runs in 12 overs.

Post-tea, Graham Clark and Matthew Potts provided some resistance with a 46-run partnership for the eighth wicket, delaying Surrey's progress. Potts faced 79 balls for his 23 before falling to Dan Lawrence's off-break. Worrall then returned to dismantle Clark's middle stump, ending his defiant 30-run innings.

Despite Ben Raine's valiant effort as the last batter, Durham ended the day trailing by 477 runs, with a draw seeming the most probable outcome. Lees' marathon innings of 125, spanning nearly six hours, was a highlight, but Worrall's 4-49 proved decisive in keeping Surrey on top.

Surrey's mammoth first-innings total of 820-9 declared, featuring centuries from Dom Sibley, Dan Lawrence, Will Jacks, and Sam Curran, set the stage for their dominance. Worrall's brilliance with the ball ensured Surrey remained in control, despite Durham's spirited resistance.

As the match heads into the final day, Surrey's position remains strong, with Worrall's performance being the cornerstone of their strategy. The flat pitch at Kia Oval has seen batsmen dominate, but Worrall's spell has been a game-changer, keeping Surrey's victory ambitions alive.