LANCASHIRE
V SURREY at Old Trafford (LVCC)
6-9 APRIL 2023
All the pundits seem to be saying the race for this year's title
is between Surrey and Lancashire, which makes this curtain-raiser a
mouthwatering prospect. In their only four-day clash last summer,
Surrey were handed the County Championship trophy, but - by registering an innings
victory - it was
Lancashire who signalled that Oval outfit cannot rest on their
laurels in 2023.
Lancashire boast a consistent top order with skipper Keaton
Jennings (1,233 championship runs at an average of 72.52 last term)
the stand-out performer; ably supported by Luke Wells (991 runs at
52.15), Steven Croft (837 at 44.05) and up-and-coming star Josh
Bohannon (805 at 40.25).
However, it's with the ball that the Red Rose look incredibly
blessed, especially if Saqib Mahmood can put a season spent largely
on the sidelines with a back injury behind him.
In last summer's County Championship, James Anderson, Tom Bailey,
Tom Hartley, Mahmood and Will Williams all averaged under 23. While
Luke Wood struggled for form in 2022 he looks a class act with his
left-arm wobblers, plus Matt Parkinson remains one of the best
spinners in the country.
Sean Abbott could be a key figure for Surrey. Fresh from a winter
that saw him bag 64 wickets in all formats for Australia, Sydney
Sixers and New South Wales, the tall 31-year-old has been signed
with a view to supplying the cutting edge Jamie Overton (out with a back
injury until mid-season at the earliest) brought to the Oval outfit's party in
2022.
Surrey v
Lancashire - First-Class Records Sheet
Cameron Steel looks set to
make his 50th f-c appearance, likewise, of the Lancashire
contingent, Will Williams. Josh Bohannon (2,927) is approaching the
3,000 first-class run mark, while Colin de Grandhomme (6,907) needs
93 more for 7,000.
With Sam Curran and Jason Roy abroad due to
their IPL commitments, plus Will Jacks (thigh), Jamie Overton (back)
and Reece Topley (shoulder) on the wounded list, Surrey's 15-man
squad includes the likes of Gus Atkinson, Ben Geddes, Tom Lawes, Dan
Moriarty and Cameron Steel.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
VENUE |
RESULT |
Lancashire |
26-28 Sep
2022 |
Old Trafford |
Lost By Inns & 130 Runs |
Yorkshire |
20-22 Sep 2022 |
The Oval |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Northamptonshire |
12-15 Sep 2022 |
Northampton |
Match Drawn |
Warwickshire |
25-28 Jul 2022 |
The Oval |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Essex |
19-22 Jul 2022 |
The Oval |
Won By 6 Wickets |
The South Londoners have not won a
championship game at Old Trafford since 2004, and have only tasted
victory there is one out of their last 11 in Manchester (6 being
lost and 4 ending in stalemate). The weather forecast suggests there
will be some rain around, but not enough to make this a nailed-on
draw, so given Surrey's recent four-day record away from home (just
3 wins out of their last 23 on the road) my head says Lancashire.
L.Wells, K.Jennings (capt), J.Bohannon,
S.Croft, D.Vilas, C.De Grandhomme, G.Bell (wk), L.Wood, T.Bailey, W.Williams and M.Parkinson.
Neil Mallender and David Millns.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
LANCS |
26-28
Sep 2022 |
Lost By An Inns & 130 Runs |
Old Trafford |
209 & 173 |
512 |
19-22
Aug 2018 |
Won By 6 Runs |
The Oval |
211 & 306 |
247 & 264 |
27-30
Apr 2018 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
235 & 199-6 |
439-9d |
25-28
Sep 2017 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
201-8d & 242 |
268 & 179-3 |
14-17
Apr 2017 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
319 & 323-3d |
470 |
23-26
Aug 2016 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
480 & 39-0 |
287 & 230 |
22-24
May 2016 |
Lost By An Inns & 96 Runs |
Old Trafford |
191 & 107 |
394 |
14-17
Sep 2015 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
480 & 283-7d |
272 & 195-7 |
31
May - 3 Jun 2015 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
448 & 186-0d |
429 |
11-14
Sep 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Liverpool |
367 |
142-2d |
11-14
Jul 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
430-5 |
485-7d |
27-30
Aug 2008 |
Abandoned |
Blackpool |
- |
- |
16-19
Apr 2008 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
537-5d |
241-6 |
19-22
Sep 2007 |
Won By 24 Runs |
The Oval |
427-9d & 295-5d |
234 & 464 |
2-4
May 2007 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
284 & 120 |
315 & 90-3 |
2-4
Sep 2004 |
Won By 147 Runs |
Old Trafford |
369 & 185 |
278 & 129 |
11-13
Aug 2004 |
Won By An Inns & 55 Runs |
Whitgift Sch |
525 |
210 & 260 |
26-29
Aug 2003 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
337 & 138 |
341 & 135-2 |
18-21
Apr 2003 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
280 & 379-6 |
599 |
31
May - 3 Jun 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
382 & 246-6d |
194 & 112-3 |
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