ESSEX suffered a 10-wicket defeat to Surrey in their first pre-season friendly.
Surrey were set a target of 74 runs from 30 overs to win the two-day match at Chelmsford and crossed the winning line with seven overs remaining after posting 70-0.
Rory Burns led the run chase with an unbeaten 50 and Zatar Ansari (16no) was at the crease too as the visitors secured the win.
Surrey resumed their first innings on 104-5 this morning in reply to Essex's 231-5 and declared on 263-7, with Jason Roy plundering an undefeated 104 (retired).
Graham Napier led the Essex attack by taking 3-38 from nine overs.
Essex, who trailed by 73 runs, reached 105-3 from their second innings allocation of 31 runs, with Tom Westley leading the way with 56 before he retired.
Nick Browne contributed an unbeaten 86 to Essex's first innings total and added 30 in his second knock.
Essex take on Kent next Thursday in their second two-day friendly, before their annual two-day fixture against Cambridge MCCU at Fenner's.
The season starts in earnest on Sunday, April 13, when Derbyshire visit Chelmsford in the County Championship.
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