Lawrence, Sibley tons edge Surrey ahead of Essex

Dan Lawrence's century, scored against his previous county, was his second of the season [Getty Images]

Rothesay County Championship, Division One, Kia Oval (day three)

Essex 409: Walter 101 & 19-0: Elgar 11*

Surrey 472: Lawrence 125, Sibley 101; Harmer 3-69

Essex (4 pts) trail Surrey (4 pts) by 44 runs

Match scorecard

Centuries from Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence helped Surrey gain a first-innings lead of 63 but their County Championship Division One match against Essex at the Oval looks like ending in a draw.

Surrey were bowled out for 472 in 156.3 overs after Sibley made 101 and Lawrence 125 against his former county.

It left Essex with nine overs to negotiate and they got to stumps unscathed on 19-0, trailing by 44 going into the final day.

Surrey's first home game of the season against Leicestershire saw 1,474 runs scored and only 24 wickets fall and this fixture is following a similar pattern.

The odd ball bounced disconcertingly and the delivery which bowled Ben Foakes from leg-spinner Matt Critchley scuttled along the deck.

But for the most part the bat has dominated with the risk-free stand of 121 in 45 overs between Sibley and Lawrence the highlight from Surrey's perspective.

Resuming on 192-3 they accumulated patiently in the morning session with 79 runs in 30 overs as Surrey set about going past Essex's score to at least give their bowlers the chance to apply some pressure on day four.

Lawrence went to his 50 by whipping Noah Thain through mid-wicket and brought up the hundred partnership with a lovely cover-driven four off Jamie Porter.

Essex's attack was willing enough – and Sam Cook deserved more reward for maintaining a probing line and length during three excellent spells – but there was little movement on a well-grassed but slow pitch.