NOTTS have gone back to the top of County Championship Division One after an emphatic thrashing of relegated Surrey at the Oval.

The visitors have won by an innings and 143 runs after claiming the final two wickets they needed shortly after the tea interval.

The manner of the win means Notts have taken a maximum 22 points from the fixture going into their final match of the season against Hampshire at Trent Bridge next Wednesday.

Mick Newell's side will now be keeping a close eye on events elsewhere – particularly those matches involving title rivals Somerset and Durham – to see if they retain their leadership of the table come tomorrow night.

Resuming on 92-7 in their second innings after, and with wicket-keeper Jonathan Batty unable to bat, defeat was only going to be a matter of time for Surrey.

And when top scorer Matthew Spriegel (42) was trapped lbw by Graeme Swann, the end was nigh.

Some hitting from Shoaib Akhtar (32 off 19 balls) prolonged the inevitable. But after striking five fours and a six, his luck ran out and he was caught by Ashwell Prince off the bowling of Samit Patel.

Earlier in the day, Notts had ended on 532 all out, with the help of Swann's 82, after resuming on 420-5 in reply to Surrey's first innings 267 all out.

For full reaction to the victory, see tomorrow's Evening Post.