MIDDLESEX V SURREY at Lord's (LVCC1),
12-15 APRIL 2012
Not only is Lord's the scene of
Surrey's last two defeats by an innings, the Oval outfit have only
beaten their North London rivals once over four days in thirteen
meetings. Nevertheless, Rory Hamilton-Brown's men will start as
favourites after taking an early lead in the Division One table;
even though it only last a few hours due to Middlesex's surprise
loss to Somerset.
The North Londoners' batting
needs to improve dramatically if they are to build on winning Division
Two last season. Just four of their number made over twenty-five at
Taunton - new signing Joe Denly, who struck 73 in the first innings,
Tim Murtagh, Sam Robson and Chris Rogers. Somerset's victory became a
formality when the visitors slumped from 105-1 to 175 all out in their
second dig.
Middlesex were almost as
off-colour with the ball. With 3-66 in Somerset's first innings, Corey
Collymore appeared to cope best with the step up to Division One.
Perhaps Tim Murtagh, who finished second in last year's roll-call of
County Championship wicket-takers, and Toby Roland-Jones feel far more
at home bowling at Lord's. What the North Londoners really lack,
however, is a viable spin threat.
Zander de Bruyn is set to make his 200th
first-class appearance. Tom Maynard is eight away from 2,000 f-c
career runs, while Stuart Meaker, with 95, is closing in on one
hundred first-class wickets.
Steven Davies is back from England's trip to Sri Lanka, so Rory
Burns will hand the wicketkeeper's gloves back to the former
Worcestershire man, who is also expected to open the batting. That
apart, don't expect any changes to the Surrey side which overcame
Sussex by 86 runs.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Sussex |
5-8 Apr 2012 |
Won By 86 Runs |
The Oval |
264 & 273 |
196 & 255 |
Derbyshire |
12-14 Sep 2011 |
Won By An Inns & 126 Runs |
The Oval |
468 |
190 & 152 |
Essex |
7-10 Sep 2011 |
Won By 109 Runs |
Chelmsford |
315 & 286 |
253 & 239 |
Northamptonshire |
31 Aug - 3 Sep 2011 |
Won By 333 Runs |
Northampton |
269 & 410-6d |
194 & 152 |
Leicestershire |
23-25 Aug 2011 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Leicester |
343 & 111-0 |
167 & 286 |
When I get to this section, the first thing I ask myself is: "What's
the weather forecast?" On this occasion the answer is "dreadful." If
the experts are to be believed, we will be lucky to get the
equivalent of two and a half days' cricket. That isn't enough to
obtain a positive outcome, so I'm sad to say this one looks like a
draw even before it has started.
S Robson, J Denly, C Rogers, D Malan, N Dexter (capt), J Simpson
(wk), G Berg, O Rayner, T Murtagh, T Roland-Jones and C Collymore.
Steve O'Shaughnessy and Martin Saggers.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
MIDDLESEX |
20-23 Jul 2011 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
117 & 379 |
308 & 190-4 |
27-29 Apr 2011 |
Lost By An Inns & 42 Runs |
Lord's |
Surrey |
Field |
203 & 200 |
445 |
29-31 Jul 2010 |
Lost By An Inns & 44 Runs |
Lord's |
Surrey |
Bat |
167 & 212 |
423 |
17-20 May 2010 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
490 & 207-3d |
324 & 189-3 |
30 Jun - 3 Jul 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
Middlesex |
Bat |
392 & 99-5 |
385 & 246-5d |
6-9 May 2009 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
388 & 242 |
445 & 184-9 |
21-24 Sep 2005 |
Won By An Inns & 39 Runs |
The Oval |
Middlesex |
Bat |
686-5d |
404-5d & 243 |
8-11 Jun 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
Middlesex |
Bat |
460 |
437 & 353-6d |
19-22 May 2004 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
359 & 300-4d |
487-9d |
21-24 Apr 2004 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Lord's |
Middlesex |
Field |
418 & 203 |
325 & 300-4 |
23-26 Jul 2003 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Middlesex |
Field |
411 & 94-0 |
385 |
27-30 Jun 2003 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
Middlesex |
Bat |
568 |
370 & 218-2d |
9-12 Sep 1999 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
Surrey |
Bat |
585 |
284 & 499-5 |
15-17 Jul 1998 |
Won By 280 Runs |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Bat |
150 & 420 |
115 & 175 |
15-17 Aug 1997 |
Won By An Inns & 125 Runs |
Lord's |
Middlesex |
Bat |
531-9d |
205 & 201 |
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