ESSEX V SURREY at Chelmsford (LVCC2), 25-28 MAY 2014
Third plays host to seventh in
Division Two of the County Championship, however there's already a
feeling that Worcestershire and, most definitely, Hampshire will take
some catching in terms of the race for promotion. Worcestershire, in
second, have a 33-point advantage over Essex, who lie one spot below
them having played the same number of matches.
Essex, who won their opening
game, have spluttered of late due to a growing injury list; while, for
Surrey, all of the vibe generated by the win over Gloucestershire two
weeks ago evaporated when it was announced Graeme Smith has almost
certainly played his last game of the season.
Smith, whose 103 in the second
innings was so instrumental in securing victory over the Bristolians,
will not only be missed for his batting. Hashim Amla is more than
capable of making the runs 'Biff' would have got, but Gary Wilson has
big shoes to fill in terms of galvanising a team in transition.
Tomorrow's hosts will be without
seamers Saj Mahmood, Tymal Mills, David Masters, Graham Napier and
Reece Topley while the on-loan Oliver Newby has returned to
Lancashire, after pulling a hamstring. Matt Salisbury and Tanweer
Sikhander, as a new ball pairing, is a far cry from Masters and Mills;
while Greg Smith, the likely first change, is averaging 40.66 runs per
wicket to Napier's 21.23. Perhaps Essex's best chance is to prepare a
turning wicket for Monty Panesar and Tom Craddock.
It's a similar story when it
comes to the batting, which is weakeneed by the absence of Bopara,
Cook and ten Doeschate. Other than James Foster, who averages 51.00 in
the championship, and Ben Foakes who made a hundred against
Gloucestershire, no one on show against Surrey tomorrow is yet to hit
their straps this season.
Essex skipper and wicketkeeper, James Foster (641
catches and 54 stumpings) is approaching a total of 700 first-class
dismissals.
With Graeme Smith withdrawing due to a fractured knee, Gary Wilson
has been appointed stand-in captain and Hashim Amla has been drafted
as temporary overseas player. The absence of Dominic Sibley sees Arun
Harinath return to first team action. Gareth Batty, who has recovered
from a broken finger, also looks set to start. With Matt Dunn and
Chris Tremlett amongst the wickets against Gloucestershire, the man to
miss out could even be Stuart Meaker.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
Gloucestershire |
11-14 May 2014 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
132 & 267-6 |
168 & 230 |
Kent |
4-7 May 2014 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
Canterbury |
285 & 203 |
435 & 54-2 |
Hampshire |
27-30 Apr 2014 |
Match Drawn |
Rose Bowl |
99-2 |
400-6d |
Essex |
20-23 Apr 2014 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
237 |
306 & 258-4d |
Glamorgan |
6-9 Apr 2014 |
Lost By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
280 & 81 |
209 & 156-0 |
Haven't you seen the forecast for Monday?! In short, this looks as
if it will be the equivalent of a three-day contest, so it's
important to seize the initiative from ball one. Surrey, for all
their woes, are the stronger team on paper, but I have my doubts
whether they'll be given long enough to polish off Essex. Prediction
- a rain-affected draw.
T Westley, J Mickleburgh, G Smith, J Ryder, M Pettini, B Foakes, J
Foster (capt, wk), M Salisbury, M Panesar, T Craddock and T Sikander.
Mark Benson and Martin Saggers.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
20-23 Apr 2014 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
237 |
306 & 258-4d |
7-10 Sep 2011 |
Won By 109 Runs |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
315 & 286 |
253 & 239 |
18-21 May 2011 |
Match Drawn |
Whitgift School |
Surrey |
Field |
506 & 65-1 |
548 & 324 |
19-22 Aug 2009 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
Colchester |
Surrey |
Bat |
428 & 190 |
545 & 74-1 |
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 |
5-8 Jul 1991 |
Won By 5 Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
299 & 230-5 |
338-5d & 185-7d |
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