Jon Lewis felt Surrey lost their game against Warwickshire in the first innings of the game

Jon Lewis was delighted with the way his side fought back after a poor day one, while Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles hailed his side’s performance over the three and a bit days of cricket

Warwickshire Director of Cricket Ashley Giles felt his side played very good cricket over the course of the four days to beat Surrey

Surrey bowler Jon Lewis believes that his side’s performance on the first day was the difference as they were beaten by Warwickshire by five wickets in the County Championship.

The south Londoners were dismissed for 223 with the visitors well set on 106-1 after the first day.

But the home side came back over the next day and a half and looked to be in the box seat when Warwickshire were 37-4 but Tim Ambrose, ably supported by Rikki Clarke and William Porterfield saw the Midlands side to a comfortable victory in the end.

“It’s always disappointing to lose games of cricket,” Lewis told London24.

“We fought really hard over the last two and a bit days but we really lost the game on the first day.

“I think we were well under par in our first innings total so we fought really hard to get ourselves back in the game.

“Gareth Batty [match figures of 10-142 off 64.4 overs] produced a world class performance on a pretty flat pitch so it was something positive to take out of the game.”

Lewis scored 30s in each innings to help his side set, what looked to be a competitive target of 222, on the third day.

He added: “I was pretty comfortable out there batting, which for a tail-ender, is not really a good sign.

“I’ve been batting well all year and contributing nicely, which is my job. I need to make partnerships with whoever’s in ahead of me or who comes in behind me.

“I thought we had a competitive total but Porterfield and Ambrose played very well yesterday, compounded by Clarke’s efforts today.”

When Porterfield and Ambrose came together they were 37-4 it looked as if Surrey were going to clinch victory but the pair put on 111 to wrestle back the initiative.

“We were right on top at that moment,” Lewis added. “We battled really hard but so did they.

“It was a really good game of cricket. Someone has to win and someone has to lose and unfortunately we lost the game.”

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles hailed Clarke and Ambrose after they saw his side home with five wickets to spare.

The former England left-arm spinner was also impressed with the way his side played over the three and a bit days of cricket after losing the toss.

Giles told London24: “I’m really delighted at the way Rikki and Tim played today but the way we played this game has been very good all round.

“To lose the toss on a wicket that looked as if it was going to wear and spin and come away with a win was fantastic.”

The visitors were 41 runs away from victory last night but the sides went off without the extra half-hour being taken and the director of cricket admitted he’d have liked to have stayed out.

“We weren’t offered the extra half hour,” Giles added. “The umpires made the decision that we couldn’t win it last night.

“We’d have liked to stay out there just to eat away at the target. It doesn’t matter now as we’ve come away with a good win.

The 39-year-old, who took 143 wickets for England in 54 Tests, grew up in Chertsey and spent his formative years with Surrey.

Giles’ most memorable performance at the Oval came with the bat as he scored 59 in the final Ashes Test of 2005, to help England lift the little urn for the first time in 16 years.

“I have very fond memories of the Oval,” he revealed. “I’m a Surrey boy so it’s nice to come here and beat them.”