ESSEX EAGLES V
SURREY LIONS at Chelmsford (NL1), 27 APRIL 2003
After the excitement of tie-ing their championship game
against Warwickshire today, Essex will be hoping to avoid a cliffhanger against
Surrey tomorrow, but hopefully they will have their work cut out against the
side that did the double over them on Sundays last year.
According to the bookmakers the Eagles are the outsiders
for this season's National League title - surprising when you look at their
batting line-up, which is as long as it gets; particularly with Andy Flower
around, not to mention Nasser Hussain being available. But the reason why
Essex are 20-1 with most firms is because they are expected to have difficulty
bowling sides out.
As Andy Clarke and spnners Paul Grayson and James
Middlebrook proved last year the Eagles are certainly capable of containment.
Much depends, therefore, of the penetrative abilities of newcomer Scott Brant,
Jon Dakin and skipper Ronnie Irani.
Martin Bicknell, who should play, needs five more wickets
to become Surrey's all-time leading wicket-taker in the National League.
Alec Stewart similarly needs 24 more runs to become the county's all-time
leading run-maker in one-day cricket.
Almost too close to call, but with Azhar Mahmood and Martin Bicknell likely to
play, even though they are yet to establish any form this summer, plus with
Chelmsford being something of a bogey ground for Surrey, the Eagles probably
have the edge.
Everyone in contention for a place is fit, so expect a few changes - Alec
Stewart, who is available to Surrey for the first time this season, coming in
for Jonathan Batty being the most obvious switch.
D Robinson, W Jefferson, N Hussain, A Flower, R Irani (capt), P Grayson, J
Foster (wk), J Dakin, J Middlebrook, S Brant and A Clarke.
8 Sep 2002 |
NL |
Won By 2 Runs |
Chelmsford |
28 Jul 2002 |
NL |
Won By 73 Runs |
Guildford |
2 May 2002 |
B&H |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
5 May 2001 |
B&H |
Won By 6 Wickets |
The Oval |
23 Aug 2000 |
NL |
Lost By 23 Runs |
Colchester |
29 May 2000 |
NL |
No Result |
The Oval |
15 Apr 2000 |
B&H |
No Result |
Chelmsford |
14 Jun 1998 |
NL |
Lost By 26 Runs |
Chelmsford |
8 Jun 1997 |
NL |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
The Oval |
27 May 1997 |
B&H |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
13 Aug 1996 |
NWT |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
30 Jun 1996 |
NL |
Lost By 27 Runs |
Southend |
9 Jul 1995 |
NL |
Lost By 61 Runs |
The Oval |
14 Aug 1994 |
NL |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Colchester |
16 May 1993 |
NL |
Won By 2 Wickets |
The Oval |
26 Apr 1992 |
NL |
Lost By 10 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
31 Jul 1991 |
NWT |
Won By 31 Runs |
The Oval |
26 May 1991 |
NL |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
23 Apr 1991 |
B&H |
Lost By 53 Runs |
The Oval |
19 Aug 1990 |
NL |
No Result |
Chelmsford |
GO TO:
BACK TO:
|