Even though Surrey's recent limited-overs record against Derbyshire is a good one - 4 wins out of the last five and undefeated at Derby since 1995 - Dominic Cork's men were the last side to beat Surrey in one-day cricket, when they visited The Oval in the Norwich Union League last August. The Derbyshire skipper is the only injury doubt for the home side ahead of tomorrow's Cheltenham & Gloucester quarter-final clash. Cork, who is wrestling with an Achilles injury, is not only an inspirational figure. He has also been in good form this summer, averaging 22.00 with the bat and taking 11 wickets at 20.72 runs apiece with the ball in the limited-overs arena. 19-year-old left-arm quick Mohammad Ali is on standby. The rest of the attack is comprised of Kevin Dean, Tom Lungley, Graeme Welch and a combination of Dominic Hewson and Steve Selwood making up the fifth bowler. All are seamers, which may give a clue as to the kind of surface Surrey can expect to have served up at the Racecourse Ground tomorrow. When not turning his arm over Selwood has been one of the leading lights in Derbyshire's batting line-up. He averages 61.66 in one-day cricket this season. Chris Bassano can go one better with a record of 353 runs at an average of 70.60. Openers Andrew Gait and Michael Di Venuto are capable of taking any attack apart, as is India's Mohammad Kaif who has been drafted in to replace Shahid Afridi, who is currently touring England with the Pakistan squad.
|