“There’s still at least 300 overs for me to bowl [this season] before that’s even considered,” said Worrall after leading his Surrey team-mates off the field. “The way the rules are, it’s three years since being a local player in England, so I suppose that would be next April. I’m ready to go if I’m required, but I’ve learned in my time that as soon as you think that far ahead, you’re kidding yourself.

“When I started at Surrey I did so with the mindset that I had sort of another full career ahead of me. And I always had an ambition to play in England as an Englishman and have a career in England.”

Surrey picked up the final five Hampshire wickets they required for the victory at the Kia Oval which, with Essex drawing a a rain-affected game at Durham, means Essex and Surrey both have 71 points after four matches.

Four of Worrall’s five second innings wickets fell to fine catches by Ollie Pope at second slip. The England vice-captain held six in the innings and eight in the match, equalling Surrey’s first-class record for a non-wicketkeeper.

Surrey captain Rory Burns, who scored a century earlier in the game, praised his attack, in which Worrall partners Kemar Roach with the new ball. England’s Gus Atkinson bowled a hostile spell on the fourth morning, too.

“I think the way our bowling attack has performed in this game, and especially in the second innings because of the relentless nature of it, is very much a blueprint for us as we go further into the season,” he said. “It is very pleasing that we have started the season so well.”

Because of poor weather, Surrey were the only side to secure a win across seven matches in the Championship this weekend.