Parkinson did not have a great start to the season after Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings opted to bowl in Manchester. The home side reduced Surrey to 86-4 and even 278-7 before Cameron Steel (141 not out) led a resurgence, taking the tourists to 442.

Tom Bailey claimed 4-86 but Parkinson, in the first match of the summer, finished with 1-103 from 13 overs. Sean Abbott (5-50) then bowled out Lancashire for 291 despite Jennings’ 76 and Colin de Grandhomme’s unbeaten 67.

Surrey batted again and went for quick runs, declaring less than an hour before stumps on the third day. Ben Foakes (103 not out led the charge) to help Lancashire amass 292-6 at 4.49 an over.

Parkinson claimed five of these six wickets, for 120 runs, albeit from only 25 overs. His first wicket was that of England and Surrey No.3 Ollie Pope. Parkinson tossed one up outside the off-stump, and Pope top-edged an attempted slog sweep and holed out to deep extra cover: de Grandhomme held on, despite losing his trousers.

With his next ball, he clean bowled Ryan Patel, the ball turning in significantly from the rough way outside leg-stump. Rory Burns batted well for his 54 before going for the slog sweep, and Dane Vilas held the catch, diving forward from mid-off.

As Lancashire went for quick runs, Parkinson switched to round the wicket as well as a negative line outside leg-stump, and Jamie Smith and Steel both perished, tried to sweep against the turn. While Smith was caught by Steven Croft at fine leg, Steel was bowled.

Steel’s wicket was Parkinson’s 150th in first-class cricket. He now has six five-wicket hauls.

Lancashire set Surrey a target of 444. Luke Wells and Jennings, the Surrey openers, took the score to 37-0 before stumps.

Watch Matt Parkinson take a five-wicket haul against Surrey:

Matt Parkinson picked up his first five-wicket-haul of the season against Surrey

How many more will the spinner take in 2023?#LVCountyChamp | @lancscricket pic.twitter.com/M75tGrJsSg

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 8, 2023