RUNAWAY leaders Surrey strengthened their grip on the Specsavers County Championship title chase with a demolition of Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge.

Rory Burns’s burgeoning side beat their closest rivals, who had started 22 points behind, by an innings and 83 runs, the game barely extending beyond lunch on the third day.

It was Surrey’s third innings victory in four matches and put them 43 points clear, although Somerset had the opportunity to close the gap this week.

Morne Morkel’s match haul of nine wickets, plus centuries from the prolific Burns and Rikki Clarke, ensured Surrey, having sent in the hosts on their own grassy pitch and dismissed them for 210, amassed 592 before doing it all over again for 199 to complete a sixth success in eight outings.

Burns, enjoying a dream first season as captain, said: “It’s obviously very pleasing the way we are winning matches at the moment. The bowlers and batsmen are doing what’s needed and that makes my job a lot easier when that is happening, so we’re delighted with how we’re going about things.”

The match was in sharp contrast to Surrey’s nervous return from the second division at Trent Bridge, two years ago, conceding 446 inside the first day and being forced to follow-on, a spirited recovery failing to save them from defeat.

Only three players survived from that side – although Jason Roy, Tom Curran (both injured), Gareth Batty and Arun Harinath could all yet play a part – and the result was also radically different, Notts rounded up by tea on day one as Morkel’s 4-60 was complemented by two wickets apiece from Jade Dernbach, Sam Curran and Clarke.

Burns added to calls for his inclusion in the England side to play India by extending his aggregate for the season to 875. Opening partner Mark Stoneman, after his horrible start to the season, hammered 86 to dominate a stand of 147. And just when the hosts might have kept the debt to manageable proportions, Sam Curran’s 70 and 111 from Clarke – his first century for Surrey since 2007, having returned 12 months ago – made it a huge 382.

Although Notts threatened more resistance in the second innings, they lost their last seven wickets for 47, the rampant Morkel (5-60) chiefly aided this time by off-spinner Amar Virdi (2-35).

Prolific as – chiefly – Burns and Ollie Pope (684) have been, Surrey’s attack is proving their most potent weapon, with Morkel taking 25 wickets in four matches, backed up by Clarke (30), Sam Curran, Virdi and Dernbach (all 24).

Much work remains to be done, but their remaining six matches against Lancashire (home, Aug 19), Notts (home, Aug 29), Essex (away, Sept 4), Worcestershire (away, Sept 10), Somerset (Sept 18) and Essex again (home, Sept 24) offer much scope for believing Surrey’s wait for a first Championship since 2002 could be coming to an end.

Surrey now concentrate on the Vitality Blast T20, hosting Somerset on Friday evening and Glamorgan on Tuesday in the South Group.