HAMPSHIRE V SURREY at the Utilita Bowl (VCC)
24-27 MAY 2024

Joint sixth plays host to the Division One leaders. Surrey continue to stamp their authority on this season’s County Championship. Their fourth victory on the trot – a 281-run mauling of Worcestershire – meant that even with Essex returning to winning ways and Somerset beating Kent, Rory Burns’ men have a 17-point advantage over the chasing pack.

Hampshire broke their duck in last week's round of matches, beating Notts by five wickets at Trent Bridge; thanks in no small part to Keith Barker joining forces with Liam Dawson in the first dig to put on 157 for the visitors' fifth wicket.

Hampshire's leading run-scorer Nick Gubbins (324 Champo runs at 64.80) returns from paternity leave for this match and will replace Tom Prest, who fractured a shoulder during the last game. Losing Prest is a massive blow given he's averaging 52.20 with the willow coupled with the fact that Brown, Dawson, Middleton, Orr and Vince appear to be lacking consistency.

Similarly, the bowling attack hasn't always shown a cutting edge. Other than off-spinner Felix Organ, who is averaging 20.14, the rest of Hampshire's frontline have picked up their wickets at 29.60-plus. Dawson (20 scalps at 30.90) has made a decent start to the campaign, though, and Mohammad Abbas can always be relied upon to exercise tight control.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Ollie Pope (6,874), who has a good record against Hampshire, is closing in on 7,000 first-class career runs, while Dominic Sibley (7,984) is within touching distance of his 8,000th. For Hampshire, Fletcha Middleton (913) is approaching 1,000 f-c runs, and, if he plays, Michael Neser will be making his debut for the Utilita Bowl outfit.

Surrey have named the same 13-strong squad as lined-up ahead of last week's clash against Worcestershire, which saw Ryan Patel and Cameron Steel miss out. Sadly, it looks like Jamie Overton could be out for quite a while after it was confirmed the former Somerset man has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.

While two of the South Londoners’ last three red-ball visits to Hedge End have ended in defeat, it has proved a profitable hunting ground, with Surrey winning by an innings on four occasions. The first two days look good weather-wise, but, after that, it's anyone's guess. Prediction: Draw.

A.Orr, F.Middleton, N.Gubbins, J.Vince (capt), L.Dawson, B.Brown (wk), F.Organ, K.Barker, J.Fuller, K.Abbott and Mohammad Abbas.

James Middlebrook and David Millns.

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