ESSEX V SURREY
at Colchester (LVCC2), 16-19 AUGUST 2006
In each of the last two seasons, Essex's championship fixture at Colchester
has fallen foul of the weather. If the forecasters are to be believed, this
contest could go the same way. If the rain holds off, however, this has the
makings of a fascinating battle. The hosts can get runs anywhere in the order
and after being held to draws by Gloucestershire and Northants they have just
got back to winning ways by overcoming Somerset by 211 runs at Southend-on-Sea.
Third-placed Essex owed that victory to the bowling of Gough, Tudor and an
up-and-coming seamer Mervyn Westfield. Since Andre Adams is still struggling
with a toe injury, there is every likelihood that Surrey will come face to face
with their former fast bowler Alex Tudor. With Darren Gough (25 championship
wickets at 28.96 runs apiece) and Andy Bichel completing the new ball threat,
the Brown Caps batsmen could be tested over the coming few days.
With the bat, Varun Chopra returns to Essex's championship line-up for only
the second time since the end of June after leading the England U-19's. Andy
Flower (1,225 runs at an average of 72.05, including 5 hundreds) remains the
jewel in his county's batting order, but skipper Ronnie Irani and the
21-year-old Ravi Bopara have also contributed a number of stand-out performances
this term. Mark Pettini remains something of an enigma, though, and it would
come as no surprise if he was asked to make way for Chopra instead of Grant
Flower.
Jonathan Batty is 54 runs away from 1,000 first-class this term. Alistair Brown
requires 23 runs to reach the same landmark. Mark Butcher needs 15 runs for
1,000 f-c for the season and 134 for 16,000 f-c career runs. Rikki Clarke needs
5 scalps for 100 f-c career wickets. Mark Ramprakash, who has 934 f-c career
runs against Essex, needs 23 more for 2,000 championship runs in 2006. Ian
Salisbury needs 2 wickets for 350 f-c for Surrey. For Essex, James Foster has
effected 49 f-c dismissals this summer and Ronnie Irani is 44 runs away from
making 1,000 f-c this season.
After dislocating a finger in Saturday's Twenty20 Cup semi-final, James Benning
is definitely one change to the Surrey line-up that beat Worcestershire by an
innings and 107 runs last week. Word is that Stewart Walters could make his
championship debut in place of Benning, but, it seems more likely that Surrey
will play the extra seamer, so get set to see Neil Saker given the nod.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Worcestershire |
8-10 Aug
2006 |
Won By An Inns & 107 Runs |
Worcester |
576 |
304 & 165 |
Northamptonshire |
2-5 Aug
2006 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
669-5d & 65-3 |
347 & 386 |
Somerset |
19-22 Jul
2006 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
717 |
688-8d |
Northamptonshire |
14-17 Jul
2006 |
Won By 229 Runs |
Northampton |
328 & 424-6d |
300 & 223 |
Glamorgan |
20-23 Jun
2006 |
Match Drawn |
Swansea |
348 & 448-8d |
410 & 168-2 |
For once, I am prepared to listen to the weather forecasters, simply because the
mornings have suddenly turned much fresher in the last few days. So, best
prepare yourselves for a draw, especially as Essex bat all the way down to
number eleven.
V Chopra, M Pettini, R Bopara, A Flower, R Irani (capt), J Foster (wk), J
Middlebrook, T Phillips, A Bichel, A Tudor and D Gough.
Richard Kettleborough and Darrell Hair.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
31
May - 3 Jun 2006 |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Whitgift School |
Essex |
Bat |
433 &
178-4 |
365 &
244 |
17-19
Sep 2003 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
318 &
194 |
464 &
49-2 |
21-24
May 2003 |
Won By 258 Runs |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
376 &
381-7d |
252 &
247 |
13-16
Jun 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Ilford |
Surrey |
Bat |
198 &
306 |
296 &
153-2 |
25-28
May 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
498 &
206-5d |
300 &
312-4 |
14-17
May 1999 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
195 &
272-6 |
262 &
204 |
11-15
Jun 1998 |
Match Drawn |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
373 |
203 &
75-4 |
4-7
Jun 1997 |
Lost By 147 Runs |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
280 &
222 |
347 &
302 |
27
Jun - 1 Jul 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Southend |
Surrey |
Bat |
476-8d
& 167-2 |
425-9d |
6-10
Jul 1995 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Field |
437 &
203 |
493 &
151-3 |
11-15
Aug 1994 |
Lost By An Inns & 87
Runs |
Colchester |
Essex |
Bat |
88 &
203 |
378 |
13-17
May 1993 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
330 &
178-4 |
418 &
153 |
18-20
Aug 1992 |
Match Drawn |
Colchester |
Essex |
Field |
292 &
10-0 |
229 |
5-8
Jul 1991 |
Won By 5 Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
299 &
230-5 |
338-5d
& 185-7d |
27
Apr - 1 May 1991 |
Match Drawn |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
268 |
211-4 |
18-21
Sep 1990 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
140 &
613-6d |
539 |
18-21
Aug 1990 |
Lost By 283 Runs |
Chelmsford |
Surrey |
Field |
114 &
120 |
236 &
281-5d |
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