LANCASHIRE V SURREY
at Old Trafford (FCC1),
2-5 SEPTEMBER 2004
Generally speaking Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for the
Ovalites, but things are starting to pick up for them in the County
Championship. If they avoid defeat, or even win, Surrey will be able to breath a
huge sigh of relief. But following two consecutive limited-overs defeats at the
hands of Lancashire since the last four-day clash between these two,
psychologically that could be a very big "if".
What can I tell you about the opponents? Well, they
haven't won a championship match since mid-May - when they overcame
Worcestershire by the huge margin of 289 runs - and have been undeniably second
best in their recent four-day outings. However, the gritty Stuart Law is back in
the side once again plus Mal Loye appears to be over his Achilles injury. The
trump card for the home side could well prove to be leading wicket-taker Gary
Keedy (44 championship victims at 30.04 runs apiece), who will have the luxury
of a turning wicket.
For Surrey, Mark Ramprakash needs 79 more runs for 5,000
f-c in chocolate trim. Mark Butcher's tally of first-class centuries stands at
29, so it's just one more for your thirtieth, Butch. Alistair Brown
will have another crack at making his first hundred against
the Red Rose, having scored at least one against all
of the other sixteen counties. Tim
Murtagh has now taken 47 f-c wickets for the Oval outfit, so requires three
for his half-century. Finally, Jimmy Ormond needs one more five-wicket haul for
the 20th of his first-class career.
As the last two managers of Newcastle United found out, making an example of a
name player can be a risky strategy. However, it would seem that Steve Rixon
wants to make it abundantly clear that he is in charge of Surrey now, not the
players. Given Clarke's woeful form Rixon is unlikely to pay with his job, but
there is a risk of him having egg on his face. That's because Mark Butcher, who
will replace Clarke, looked completely out of touch in last night's floodlit
game. Add to that the fact that Surrey have not won a championship match away
from home this summer, and that Lancashire have the better spin attack on a
strip which is guaranteed to turn square, and the wet weather currently forecast
for days two and four might just suit the visitors.
Apart from Butcher for Clarke, Surrey are expected to field the same XI that beat Lancashire by an innings
at Whitgift and came close to completing a championship double over Kent at
Canterbury.
M Chilton, I Sutcliffe, M Loye, S Law, C Hooper (capt), J Haynes (wk), G Chapple,
D Cork, S Mahmood, P Martin and G Keedy.
11-13 Aug 2004 |
Won By An Innings & 55 Runs |
Whitgift School |
26-29 Aug 2003 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
18-21 Apr 2003 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
31 May - 3 Jun 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
8-11 May 2002 |
Won By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
25-28 Apr 2001 |
Abandoned |
Old Trafford |
13-16 Sep 2000 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
2-5 Aug 2000 |
Won By 272 Runs |
The Oval |
15-18 Jun 1999 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
18-21 Jun 1998 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
10-12 Sep 1997 |
Lost By An Innings & 55 Runs |
The Oval |
7-9 Aug 1996 |
Won By 140 Runs |
Southport |
29 Aug - 1 Sep 1995 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
5-9 May 1994 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
3-7 Jun 1993 |
Lost By 96 Runs |
The Oval |
4-6 Aug 1992 |
Lost By 86 Runs |
Lytham |
17-20 Sep 1991 |
Lost By 1 Wicket |
Old Trafford |
22-24 May 1991 |
Won By 8 Wickets |
The Oval |
29-31 Aug 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Blackpool |
3-7 May 1990 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
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