WORCESTERSHIRE are facing an uphill battle as relegation-haunted Surrey made an impressive start to the Frizzell County Championship Division One match at the Oval.

Surrey closed last night on 299-4 and Mark Ramprakash today completed his third century in as many matches which included one six and 16 fours.

But Worcestershire hit back to remove Alistair Brown for 22, thanks to a catch behind by Steve Rhodes off Matt Mason's bowling.

Ramprakash had been stopped in his tracks yesterday when a thunderstorm forced an early finish with only 75.4 overs bowled in the day.

The only blemish for the former England man came when he ran out debutant opener Richard Clinton who made an eye-catching 73 runs.

Ramprakash's intention to take the game to the County was evident when he went down the track in Gareth Batty's first over and hit the spinner over his head for six.

After scoring hundreds against Warwickshire and Northamptonshire, Ramprakash moved serenely towards the 71st century of his career after his skipper Jonathan Batty had won the toss, on a good pitch, and opted to bat.

Clinton has signed a contract at the Oval until the end of the summer when he will decide whether to take time out from university to have a crack at county cricket full-time.

He has played second-team cricket for six counties and was close to giving up the game.

The 22-year-old was Scott Newman's sixth opening partner of the season and after seeing the left-hander caught for 46, he shared a stand of 86 with Ramprakash for the third wicket.

Clinton had his eyes on a second first-class century of his career when he was run out after a mix-up with Ramprakash and a brilliant piece of fielding from Vikram Solanki at backward point.

Rikki Clarke made 36 from 30 balls with seven fours and Batty scored just eight before being well snapped up by Graeme Hick at second slip.

Worcestershire left out Andy Bichel for the four-day clash.