GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLADIATORS V SURREY LIONS at Bristol (TSL1), 16 MAY 2004
For the first time this season Surrey go into a game well and truly as underdogs
– yes, even the bookies have woken up to the fact that the Oval outfit are in
the mire. Mind you, Gloucestershire haven’t exactly set the world alight, with
their solitary win to date being against Holland in the C&G Trophy. However, few
people considered them serious contenders, so the preservation of top division
status – in the County Championship as well as the National League – was always
going to be their first priority. Who could have predicted that Surrey’s hopes
for the 2004 season would now be in line with Mark Alleyne’s?
One crumb of comfort the visitors can take into tomorrow’s televised contest
is that their recent record against the Gladiators is very good indeed. Six out
of the last seven limited-overs match-ups between these two sides have gone the
way of the South Londoners. Given what has been a wretched few weeks, the Lions
will be desperately hoping that history keeps faith with
them.
The wicket of Craig Spearman will be as crucial as ever. Last summer he made
two centuries in this competition – against Warwickshire and Essex – and this
term he has already gone straight to the top of Gloucestershire’s one-day
batting averages with a tally of 148 runs in three innings, closely followed by
Phil Weston and Matt Windows.
With the ball their plan is for Mike Smith and Jon Lewis to keep thing tight
before James Averis and Martyn Ball come into their own. With Shoaib Malik not
necessarily regarded a one-day player, the fifth bowler tomorrow is likely to be
a combination of Alleyne and Gidman.
With no Butcher, no Thorpe, no Saqlain and no luck, sorry guys, but I have to
favour Gloucestershire having something to say about their recent inability to
beat the Ovalites.
As I have just indicated there will be some notable absentees from the Surrey
line-up tomorrow. Assuming Butcher and Thorpe are in the squad for next
Thursday’s Test match, they will be resting. Plus, despite battling on today,
Saqlain is out for at least a month with a sore knee. Whilst Surrey are believed
to be exploring the option of replacing him, no names are in the frame.
Therefore, in come Alistair Brown, Rikki Clarke and Tim Murtagh. James Benning
makes up the twelve, in case there are any last minute problems.
P Weston, C Spearman, A Gidman, M Windows, C Taylor, M Alleyne (capt), S Adshead
(wk), M Ball, J Lewis, J Averis and M Smith.
5 Aug 2003 |
NL |
Won By 66 Runs |
The Oval |
19 Jul 2003 |
T20 |
Won By 5 Runs |
Trent Bridge |
25 May 2003 |
NL |
No Result |
Bristol |
22 Sep 2002 |
NL |
Won By 79 Runs |
The Oval |
19 May 2002 |
NL |
Lost By 1 Wicket |
Bristol |
16 Sep 2001 |
NL |
Won By 36 Runs |
Bristol |
12 Aug 2001 |
NL |
Won By 2 Wickets |
The Oval |
14 Jul 2001 |
B&H |
Won By 47 Runs |
Lord's |
27 Jun 1999 |
B&H |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Bristol |
26 Jul 1998 |
NL |
Lost By 22 Runs |
Cheltenham |
8 Jul 1998 |
NWT |
Won By 52 Runs |
Bristol |
30 Apr 1998 |
B&H |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
18 May 1997 |
NL |
Won By 5 Wickets |
The Oval |
30 Apr 1997 |
B&H |
Won By 3 Wickets |
Bristol |
26 May 1996 |
NL |
Won By 72 Runs |
Gloucester |
30 Apr 1996 |
B&H |
Won By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
16 Jul 1995 |
NL |
Won By 19 Runs |
The Oval |
29 May 1994 |
NL |
Won By 10 Runs |
Gloucester |
18 Jul 1993 |
NL |
Won (Scoring Rate) |
Guildford |
28 Jun 1992 |
NL |
Won By 17 Runs |
Bristol |
5 May 1992 |
B&H |
Won By 2 Wickets |
The Oval |
12 May 1991 |
NL |
Lost By 25 Runs |
The Oval |
29 Jul 1990 |
NL |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Cheltenham |
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