ESSEX V SURREY at Colchester (LVCC2),
19-22 AUGUST 2009
The last two occasions when Surrey lost to Essex by an innings, both matches
were played at Colchester. Castle Park's recent history would also suggest that
batting will only get more difficult as the game goes on, so getting as many on
the board, first up, must be the priority of whichever captain wins the toss
tomorrow.
On paper, the two sides look evenly matched. Essex - who welcome back Ravi
Bopara, but who will be without Graham Napier - are short of form with the bat,
while Surrey are likely to line-up with just two front-line bowlers with over 90
first-class career wickets - Pedro Collins and Chris Schofield.
Looking at the hosts, both Varun Chopra and John Maunders have had a lean
time with the bat this summer. Had it not been for Napier's absence with "a
niggle" one of them would almost certainly have been facing the chop.
Essex's most consistent performer at the moment is the former England
wicketkeeper James Foster, who averages 40.62 and has reached fifty on five
occasions in this season's County Championship.
With the ball, Essex's attack is built around the Pakistan leg-spinner Danish
Kaneria, who has taken 32 wickets in just six championship appearances. David
Masters - 35 victims at 22.42 runs apiece - is the workhorse who adds control.
Indeed, nobody has bowled more maidens in the championship to date. But Chris
Wright, Ryan ten Doeschate and off-spinner James Middlebrook will all need to up
their game in this contest to cover for the loss of Napier.
Mark Ramprakash, who averages just 28.30 against Essex, is set to make his 425th
first-class appearance; and if he bats twice he will play his 700th first-class
innings in this match.
With Andre Nel out of action for at least another fortnight and no word on an
overseas player joining Surrey for the remainder of the season, the Brown Caps
attack will be lacking experience. Tom Smith, a 21-year-old left arm spinner has
been brought in on loan from Sussex. If Smith plays, it looks as though one of
Tim Linley and Stuart Meaker will have to miss out.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Derbyshire |
6-9 Aug
2009 |
Match Drawn |
Whitgift Sch |
362 & 320-4d |
334 & 232-5 |
Leicestershire |
31 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Brit Oval |
608-4d |
593-5d & 23-0 |
Essex |
15-18 Jul 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
352-8d |
401 & 201-3 |
Kent |
10-13 Jul
2009 |
Match Drawn |
Brit Oval |
386 & 170-3 |
620-7d |
Middlesex |
30 Jun - 3 Jul 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
392 & 99-5 |
385 & 246-5d |
If the hosts win the toss and bat first, I can only see one result. But should
Stewart Walters call correctly, this could be a fascinating contest. Ramprakash,
Bopara and Kaneria hold the key, so, I have to reluctantly admit that I can see
Essex edging this one.
V Chopra, J Maunders, R Bopara, M Walker, M Pettini (capt), J Foster (wkt), R
ten Doeschate, T Phillips, C Wright, D Masters and Danish Kaneria.
Michael Gough and Peter Hartley. See also The
Dreaded Finger
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
15-18
Jul 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Essex |
Bat |
352-8d |
401 & 201-3 |
16-18
Aug 2006 |
Lost By An Inns & 2
Runs |
Colchester |
Surrey |
Bat |
330 & 198 |
530 |
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 |
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