SOMERSET
V SURREY at Taunton
(LVCC1), 28-31 AUGUST 2012
The disappointment, today, of
failing to make the last four in the Clydesdale Bank 40 is yet
another blow to hit Surrey in what has, without doubt, been a
bruising season for a host of reasons.
If there is some good news for
the visitors it's that Nick Compton and Craig Kieswetter - who sit
first and second in Somerset's championship batting averages - will
not be lining up against Gareth Batty's men over the next four days. That means
only one of the hosts' batsmen - James Hildreth (740 championship
runs at an average of 38.94) - go into this contest averaging over
thirty. Just two others have made hundreds in this summer's
competition - Marcus Trescothick, who hit an invaluable 123 against
Sussex last week, and Arul Suppiah, whose last three-figure score
came at the Oval back in May.
Further evidence that Somerset
have, perhaps, flattered to deceive at times this summer can be
found in their championship bowling averages. Trego (48 championship scalps
at 25.70 runs apiece) has been, far and away their most successful
bowler in four-day cricket. Alfonso Thomas and George Dockrell will
be the only other
bowlers on show tomorrow with more than 16 championship wickets
under their belts.
Sorry, but no approaching milestones are jumping out at me.
Rory Hamilton-Brown has been dropped from the team that beat
Middlesex by eight runs to accommodate a certain Kevin Pietersen,
while England / England Lions duty sees Stuart Meaker swap places with
Jade Dernbach. Will Tim Linley play a third championship game on the
trot? Unlikely. Jon Lewis, who missed the recent London derby, offers
more with the bat; which shouldn't be overlooked given
that Gareth Batty's highest championship score this season is 36.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Middlesex |
15-18 Aug 2012 |
Won By 8 Runs |
The Oval |
144 & 341 |
232 & 245 |
Durham |
7-10 Aug 2012 |
Lost By An Inns & 38 Runs |
The Riverside |
129 & 143 |
310 |
Warwickshire |
27-30 Jul 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
286 & 202-3 |
571 |
Nottinghamshire |
18-21 Jul 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Trent Bridge |
252-6 |
328 |
Lancashire |
11-14 Jul 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
430-5 |
485-7d |
Why do my predictions always seem to begin with a weather watch?
It's most probably because it's been one of those summers. Or would
it be more accurate to say non-summers? No wonder the doctor has
told yours truly that he has a vitamin D deficiency! The forecast
suggests we'll be lucky to see more than three days' play in total,
which means a draw is the most likely outcome. But can Surrey make
more than their best first innings total away from home this season
- the 286 they compiled at Edgbaston? Anything less and the visitors
might end up surrendering more than just bonus points. To be honest,
I'd take a draw, not least because Surrey have not won a
championship match at Taunton since 1986.
M Trescothick (capt), A Suppiah, C Jones, J Hildreth, J Buttler
(wk), A Barrow, P Trego, A Thomas, G Dockrell, G Hussain and S
Kirby.
Steve Gale and Peter Hartley.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
SOMERSET |
16-19 May 2012 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Somerset |
Bat |
388 & 239-7 |
512-9d & 180 |
12-15 Aug 2008 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
Surrey |
Field |
406-9 |
401-3d |
30 May - 2 Jun 2008 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
Whitgift School |
Somerset |
Field |
326 & 227 |
446 & 111-2 |
19-22 Jul 2006 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Somerset |
Bat |
717 |
688-8d |
14-16 Jun 2006 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
Bath |
Surrey |
Field |
266 & 356-6 |
342 & 276 |
3-6 Jul 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
Somerset |
Field |
608-6d & 324-5d |
554 & 329-7 |
24-27 May 2002 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
220 & 332 |
253 & 45-1 |
23-26 Aug 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
Somerset |
Bat |
278 & 294-6 |
373 & 311-6d |
6-9 Jun 2001 |
Won By 6 Wickets |
The Oval |
Somerset |
Bat |
403 & 210-4 |
377 & 234 |
14-16 Jun 2000 |
Won By An Inns & 213 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
548 |
145 & 190 |
26-29 Apr 2000 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
Somerset |
Field |
185 |
302-8d |
26-29 May 1999 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
Somerset |
Bat |
558-9d & 49-3 |
199 & 405 |
21-24 May 1998 |
Lost By 165 Runs |
Taunton |
Surrey |
Field |
241 & 245 |
176 & 475 |
23-26 Apr 1997 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Somerset |
Bat |
209-8 |
463 |
2-6 May 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
Somerset |
Field |
367 & 410-4 |
558 |
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