Ramps hits century number 99

Mark Ramprakash goes to his hundred © Getty Images

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Mark Ramprakash's 99th first-class hundred of his career was the highlight as champions Sussex drew their third successive LV County Championship Division One match against Surrey at Hove.

The loss of the first day to rain and a slow, batsman-friendly pitch meant the last day was all about Ramprakash and the battle for bonus points.

Resuming on 66, Ramprakash was watchful early on but then accelerated through the 90s with three boundaries, all off Sussex's young off-spinner Ollie Rayner.

The third of them, a back-foot force past cover, brought up his century, his ninth against Sussex for Surrey and his former employers Middlesex. He has now scored 46 hundreds for both counties.

The 38-year-old went from 85 to 123 from just 30 deliveries and it was a surprise when he fell for 123, caught and bowled by Rayner trying to drive him over mid-on. It was his sixth century in his last nine championship innings.

Since the start of the 2006 season, Ramprakash has scored 20 hundreds but this effort, which contained 15 fours, was the slowest of them at 245 balls.

Ali Brown helps himself to the Sussex bowling

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Ramprakash's wicket completed a good morning's work for Rayner, who has got his chance because Sussex's champion spinner Mushtaq Ahmed is sidelined following knee surgery.

He also picked up former England left-hander Mark Butcher, who was caught behind for 20 as he pushed forward after adding 58 for the third wicket - with Ramprakash.

Sussex skipper Chris Adams took the second new ball as soon as it became available, but a desperately slow pitch offering precious little bounce and carry made it desperately hard work for his seamers.

Alistair Brown and Usman Afzaal hardly looked troubled by either pace or spin as they added 141 in 32 overs for the fifth wicket.

Afzaal, who has already lodged one century for his new county, looked like emulating Ramprakash until over-ambition got the better of him just before tea.

Earlier in the over he had slog-swept successive balls from Yardy for six and four but was bowled through the gate trying to pierce the off-side field.

Surrey declared after securing maximum batting points and in 35 minutes of their second innings Sussex reached 13 without loss before the captains shook hands on a draw.