McKerr happy to make the difference as Surrey increased lead at top of County Championship

Fast bowler Conor McKerr described himself as a point of difference following Surrey’s convincing display against Lancashire last weekend.

The South Londoners’ innings and 63-run County Championship victory sees the gap between them and the chasing pack increase from 23 to 35 points with four matches to go in Division One.

McKerr, who followed up his 2-41 with figures of 4-27, said: “In a team like this, where everyone is so good, I am playing as a fifth seamer, so my job is to try to make things happen and also to try to change the game in certain situations.

“In that sense I am a point of difference. We have some of the best fast bowlers in the country at Surrey, with all the skills, so my role is to crank up the pace when I come on and it was good to be able to do that.

“There is a lot I have taken from all the other quick bowlers at the club, but perhaps mindset out on the field is the biggest thing I have learned from them. Focusing on winning the game is the most important thing.”

Rory Burns’ career-best 227 was pivotal in terms of heaping pressure on a Lancashire side that featured two first-class debutants – Rocky Flintoff (son of England great Freddie) at 16 and left-arm seamer Josh Boyden, 20.

Burns’ 197-run alliance with Ben Foakes (82) for the hosts’ fourth wicket was the 50th three-figure stand Burns has been involved in for Surrey in red-ball cricket.

Afterwards he dedicated it to the memory of Graham Thorpe.

“It was nice in a game that was being played in Thorpey’s memory to get my career-best score,” said Burns. “He had a big influence on my career, both as a coach here at Surrey and when I played for England, so it was special.”

McKerr added: “Rory played an unbelievable innings, batting for as long as he did for his 227 to make sure we got a big first innings score on the board to set up an important win. He’s a class act.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD