Rory Burns 'Ecstatic' with Championship win

After 16 long years, Surrey are back on top of the Specsavers County Championship podium.

A tense 3-wicket victory in a topsy turvy clash with Worcestershire at New Road secured their 20th Championship title and unleashed wild celebrations by the River Severn.

The match had been a microcosm of their hugely successful season, with Morne Morkel in devastating form and Rory Burns racking up the runs.

It marked a ninth straight win for Surrey, who are yet to be beaten this season. They are, unquestionably, worthy champions.

"I'm just ecstatic we managed to get over the line," said Burns, who has scored 1,241 runs already this season, and is strongly tipped to get an England call up this winter.

"You don't get to the position we find ourselves here in winning the title by everyone not mucking in and doing what they can do.

"From the whole perspective of squad, backroom staff, the club, everyone on a daily basis has done their job and I think that's all you can ask for."

Morkel was the man who hit the winning runs and keep his remarkable winning streak going - he's won all eight Championship matches he's played in this season. Not only that, but he's taken 50 wickets at 13.96.

"I've loved every moment," the Test great said of his stint in south London. "Since the first minute I stepped into the changing room I felt welcome, it's a fantastic dressing room to be a part of. I reckon this culture is going to grow stronger and stronger and lifting the bar for other teams to follow."

And as a man who knows a thing or two about playing at the highest level, does Morkel think his skipper has what it takes to succeed at Test level?

"For sure. He's putting in the hard work daily, he's been knocking on the door for a couple of seasons so I can't why not.

"If he does go and play for England we're going to miss him dearly here but I think he's destined for greater things and ready to step into that opening slot."

One Surrey player who has been drafted into England action this season is Ollie Pope. Now he has a title to go with his Test cap.

Ollie Pope: "It's mad, only my second year playing and it's pretty special. We've played some pretty good cricket this year and I feel like we deserve the trophy."

Veteran Rikki Clarke, back at the club after ten years away, said: "It feels brilliant. All the hard work we've put it we. Morne has been absolute sensational. Were delighted, we've put in a lot of hard work and we're going to enjoy it.

"We work incredibly hard, we have a formula we stick to, I think its a brand of cricket that has worked for teams to be successful in Div 1. We look to put runs on the board and bowl sides out twice on good wickets.

"You try and take each ball as it comes, it's a bit of cliche but we bowl in partnerships and bat in partnerships. The hard work has paid off and we're going to enjoy it.

Tom Curran: "It's a pretty surreal moment - unbelievable. All the hard work that has gone in over the last few years, it's just an unbelievable experience. I'm so grateful to be able to share this with my team-mates my best mates and obviously my brother.

Sam Curran: I just can't stop smiling. We've won it so convincingly with two games to go. This is just the start, we've got a great squad, a lot of young guys and some experienced lads who are helping us younger lads. Its a great place for us to be in as a club, we've got two more games coming up and I think we're going to enjoy both of them.