Essex's Dean Elgar, Tom Westley, and Matt Critchley showcased a dominant performance against Surrey, with Elgar scoring 182 and Westley adding 135 runs, leading Essex to a declaration at 508-8. Elgar and Westley's partnership of 253 runs set a new record for the second wicket against Surrey, while Critchley's 112 further strengthened their position. With this performance, Essex is aiming to secure a top-three finish in the County Championship, needing 17 points from the match. On the final day, Surrey struggled, concluding the day at 30-1, with captain Rory Burns dismissed. Elgar's contribution brought him over 1,000 first-class runs for the season, marking a remarkable achievement. The match was briefly interrupted by rain, but Essex's batting prowess was evident throughout.