Cook was straight into the attack when he appeared on the pitch an hour after a start delayed after lunch – and needed just 10 deliveries to announce his arrival.

Former England opener Dom Sibley was all at sea as he nicked from an initial six-over Cook burst containing four maidens and just eight runs conceded.

It was a tad unfortunate for the withdrawn Charlie Bennett, who had built up a head of steam in the three overs he managed to squeeze in before his departure.

Surrey had already lost Rory Burns by the time of Cook’s entrance, lbw to one from Jamie Porter that jagged into his back pad, and were soon to lose Josh Blake, caught at second slip aiming a drive through the covers.

Ben Foakes lasted three balls before he was pinned lbw for a second wicket in eight deliveries for Shane Snater.

Pope had to sit padded up for 17 overs before he strode to the wicket as Adam Thomas and Mahipal Lomror put on 52 for the fifth wicket.

But to the first ball after tea, Lomror turned Cook to square leg, took one comfortable run and wanted a second that Thomas patently did not – and a relay of throws from Ahkter to Michael Pepper to the non-striker’s end completed the reckless run-out.

Thomas followed almost immediately, playing loosely at Cook to third slip. Pope played all around a delivery from Akhter that kept low and Fisher played the same bowler airily to mid-on. Rahul Chahar became Cook’s third victim, chipping another catch to Westley, and Tom Lawes was the last of Akhter’s trio after a battling 38 with eight fours.

Report by ECB Reporters’ Network, supported by Rothesay.