GLOUCESTERSHIRE V SURREY
at Bristol (LVCC2), 6-9 SEPTEMBER 2006
Before this season, Surrey had not beaten Gloucestershire in the County
Championship since 1995. When they did, boy did the Brown Caps rub the
Bristolians' noses in the dirt. Shorn of skipper Jon Lewis - as is the case for
this contest - Gloucestershire fell victim to Surrey's most decisive win since
overcoming Glamorgan by an innings and 331 runs at Cardiff Arms Park in 1936.
Were it not for the weather forecast, the visitors could be forgiven for
fancying their first double over Gloucestershire since 1964. The Nevil Road
outfit hardly covered themselves in glory on their last championship outing,
when they were bowled out for 161 and 172 by Somerset at Taunton, to go down by
an innings and 76 runs.
Only James Averis, with figures of 4-79, had cause to look back on that game
with any degree of affection; although 22-year-old slow left-armer Vikram
Banerjee bowled with a fair degree of control. The former Yorkshire fast bowler
Steve Kirby fills the gap created by Lewis's England call-up. Although Kirby has
taken 42 championship wickets at 39.97 runs apiece, he is currently lying fourth
in Gloucestershire's bowling averages behind Lewis, Ian Harvey (who is out with
an pulled hamstring) and veteran off-spinner Martyn Ball.
The hosts' batting does not appear to be in much better shape. Only three of
the Gloucestershire batsmen likely to be on show in this match have scored more
than one championship hundred this term. Hamish Marshall has notched up five in
nine outings and Craig Spearman - 1195 runs at an average of 44.25 - has been
far more consistent this summer. Perhaps that's because he was in my fantasy
side last year, but not this!
Jonathan Batty needs 33 runs for 1,000 in first-class cricket this year and
three dismissals for 50 this term. Nayan Doshi needs 3 wickets for 100 f-c
wickets for Surrey. For Gloucestershire, Alex Gidman is 38 runs away from 1,000
f-c in 2006, while Hamish Marshall has 934.
Of the side that beat Glamorgan at the Brit Oval by 218 runs, Mohammad Akram and
Ian Salisbury are rested, which opens the door for Stewart Walters, Jade
Dernbach and, perhaps, Tim Murtagh to get a game. As for news on Jimmy Ormond's
fight to get fit, there is no news.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Glamorgan |
30
Aug - 1 Sep 2006 |
Won By 218 Runs |
The Oval |
433 & 309-5d |
269 & 255 |
Essex |
16-18 Aug
2006 |
Lost By An Inns & 2 Runs |
Colchester |
330 & 198 |
530 |
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 |
If rain does prove to be a factor in this match - the forecast for Thursday
through to Saturday is
less than encouraging - it will take an unswerving bowling performance from one
these sides to force a result. In the last three championship matches played at Bristol
this summer, two of which have ended in draws, only one team has failed to gain
maximum first innings batting points. That was when the hosts made 394 all out against
Essex. Sorry, you wanted my prediction, didn't you. Well, I think I'll go
for the draw.
P Weston, C Spearman, H Marshall, Kadeer Ali, A Gidman (capt), S Adshead (wk), M
Hardinges, M Ball, J Averis, S Kirby and V Banerjee.
Neil Bainton and David Constant.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
GLOUCS |
3-5
May 2006 |
Won By An Inns & 297
Runs |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
639-8d |
207 &
135 |
16-19
Aug 2005 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
463 |
350
&294-6 |
8-11
Jul 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
603 &
84-3 |
288 &
494 |
18-21
Jun 2004 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
598 |
368 &
255-9 |
2-4
Jun 2004 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
298 &
213 |
406 &
106-4 |
13-16
Apr 1999 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Field |
342 &
229-7d |
213 &
209-5 |
22-24
Jul 1998 |
Lost By 2 Wickets |
Cheltenham |
Surrey |
Bat |
297 &
135 |
167 &
266-8 |
14-16
May 1997 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
115 &
269 |
371 &
15-1 |
23-27
May 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Gloucester |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
228-6d
& 174-8 |
373 &
163-2d |
27-30
Apr 1995 |
Won By 93 Runs |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
217 &
475 |
392 &
207 |
26-30
May 1994 |
Won By 1 Wicket |
Gloucester |
Surrey |
Field |
72-3d
& 354-9 |
319-7d
& 106-4d |
15-17
Jul 1993 |
Won By An Inns & 66
Runs |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
381 |
153 &
162 |
26-29
Jun 1992 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Field |
300-5d
& 232-6 |
352-9d
& 178 |
16-18
Jul 1991 |
Won By 2 Wickets |
Guildford |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
250-3d
& 252-8 |
304-9d
& 197-3d |
28-31
Jul 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Cheltenham |
Surrey |
Field |
200-6d
& 302-9 |
301 &
202-4d |
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