KENT V SURREY
at Tunbridge Wells (FCC1), 25-28 MAY 2005
Since 1997, Surrey have only lost to Kent on one occasion in
the championship. Mind you, even now the hop county are probably wondering how
they failed to beat the Ovalites at Canterbury in 2002 (I thought I should get
that one in!).
With five batsmen averaging over 42 and four bowlers
averaging under 28, Kent should provide their geographical neighbours with a stern test
over the next four days. Along with
Hampshire, the hop county are yet to be beaten in this season's competition.
Indeed, contrary to my
preview of Kent's season the Canterbury outfit have been the only side
to hold its own against the current Division One leaders.
The dangers for Surrey appear to be Matt Walker (345
championship runs at an average of 49.28) and Amjad Khan (18 wickets at 24.00
runs apiece). Over the years, however, Darren Stevens has had a woeful record against
the Oval outfit - 193 runs at 17.94 from six f-c appearances - as have Simon
Cook (five wickets at 60.00 in three matches) and Min
Patel who has taken just 25 wickets in 15 championship encounters at an average of 56.92 runs
apiece.
Those with first-class milestones coming up include Jonathan
Batty (9 hundreds), Martin Bicknell (98 catches), Rikki Clarke (48 catches, also
1,988 f-c runs for Surrey), Richard Clinton (972 runs) and Nayan Doshi (49
wickets).
With no threat expected from the weather a positive result is on the cards, so I
can't sit on the fence on this one. Without England's Graham Thorpe and the
sidelined Jimmy Ormond the visitors look set to struggle and the odds setters
agree, for Kent are 4/7 favourites. Sorry people, but as much as I hate to say
it... a win for the Cyclopses.
Mohammad Akram returns to from injury, but Jimmy Ormond (right knee) and Ian Salisbury
(intercostal muscle) have
not quite made the progress hoped for. Azhar Mahmood (shins) and Mark Butcher
(left wrist) are much further back; and in Azhar's case the rumours are that
Surrey are looking at bringing in a long-term overseas replacement, especially
with the Twenty20 Cup approaching.
D Fulton (capt), R Key, M van Jaarsveld, M Walker, D Stevens, J Kemp, A Hall, N O'Brien
(wk), S Cook, M Patel, and A Khan.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
KENT |
18-21 Aug 2004 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Bat |
402-8d |
226 & 234-8 |
25-28 May 2004 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
479 & 174-3 |
239 & 413 |
4-6 Sep 2003 |
Lost By An Innings & 155 Runs |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Bat |
125 & 255 |
535 |
2-5 Jul 2003 |
Won By 186 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
401 & 251-3d |
352-5d & 114 |
19-22 Jul 2002 |
Won By 2 Wickets |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Bat |
225 & 410-8 |
374 & 260 |
12-14 Jun 2002 |
Won By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
361 & 61-1 |
153 & 268 |
16-19 Aug 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Surrey |
Bat |
258 & 193-8 |
301 |
20-23 Apr 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Kent |
Bat |
473 |
456-8d |
23-26 May 2000 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Surrey |
Bat |
348-8 |
- |
11-14 May 2000 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Kent |
Field |
417 & 17-0d |
115-2d & 255-8 |
2-5 Jun 1999 |
Won By An Innings & 28 Runs |
Tunbridge Wells |
Kent |
Field |
271 |
71 & 172 |
29-31 May 1998 |
Won By An Innings & 30 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
342 |
86 & 226 |
18-20 Sep 1997 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Field |
124 & 371 |
220 & 276-5 |
9-13 May 1996 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Kent |
Bat |
360 & 160-6 |
225 & 361 |
3-7 Aug 1995 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Surrey |
Bat |
559 & 252-7d |
410 & 380-8 |
15-19 Sep 1994 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
70-1 |
445 |
5-9 Aug 1993 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Surrey |
Bat |
464 & 305-3d |
467 |
14-16 Jul 1992 |
Lost By 72 Runs |
Guildford |
Kent |
Field |
301-8d & 76 |
117 & 332 |
2-5 Aug 1991 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Bat |
178 & 385 |
358 & 103-7 |
9-13 May 1991 |
Lost By An Innings & 3 Runs |
The Oval |
Kent |
Bat |
420 |
195 & 222 |
7-10 Sep 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
Kent |
Bat |
648 |
425 & 378-9 |
21-24 Jul 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
344-7d & 17-0 |
372 & 329 |
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