SURREY V ESSEX
at Whitgift School (LVCC2), 18-21 MAY 2011
Five games into the championship campaign and it's
already hard to believe that Essex and Surrey were widely tipped for
promotion before a ball had been bowled. That said, Surrey got back
to winning ways a fortnight ago with an overwhelming display against
bottom of the table Leicestershire. But Essex are only sixth to
Surrey's seventh thanks to a final day, 217-run fourth wicket
partnership between Ravi Bopara and Matt Walker against Glamorgan at
the end of April.
The good news for Surrey is that Bopara misses
this match because he is on England Lions duty, as is the Ovalites'
Jade Dernbach. Essex are also without Reece Topley, who is studying
for his exams, in addition to Owais Shah and Ryan ten Doeschate, who
are participating in the Indian Premier League. The bad news is that
the visitors still have England's Ashes hero, Alastair opening the
innings. The 26-year-old left-hander will be keen to make amends for
his 4 and 25 in last week's draw at Derby; where, once again, Bopara
led the way with the bat for the Chelmsford-based outfit.
Even though is seems an ideal time to be playing
Essex, Mark Pettini and Matt Walker both have decent records, with
the bat, against the South Londoners. But their leading bowler in
the championship this summer, David Masters (24 wickets at 20.58
runs apiece) has only taken 14 first-class wickets at an average of
57.35 in nine appearances against Surrey.
Mark Ramprakash needs just 33 more runs for 35,000 in first-class
cricket; while, for Essex, Mark Pettini has 4,888 and Adam Wheater
has 884. It's also worth noting that if Ramprakash makes a hundred
he will go level fifteenth in the all-time list of first-class
century-makers, alongside Sir Vivian Richards.
As has already been said, Jade Dernbach is only England Lions duty.
He looks set to be replaced by Tim Linley. In the batting, Kevin
Pietersen comes in for Jason Roy, which seems harsh on Roy, given
that his 76 in the second innings against Leicestershire set-up
victory inside three days. With Roy dropping out, Tom Maynard joins
the growing queue of makeshift Surrey openers.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Leicestershire |
4-6
May 2011 |
Won By 215 Runs |
The Oval |
294
& 311-6d |
183
& 207 |
Middlesex |
27-29
Apr 2011 |
Lost By An Inns &
42 Runs |
Lord's |
203
& 200 |
445 |
Glamorgan |
20-23
Apr 2011 |
Match Drawn |
Cardiff |
575-7d |
395
& 198-4d |
Northamptonshire |
8-11
Apr 2011 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
322
& 342-6d |
376
& 211-5 |
Gloucestershire |
13-16
Sep 2010 |
Won By 10 Runs |
Bristol |
186
&180-3d |
106-5d
& 250 |
The weather forecast for the next four days could be better, but
they are saying it will remain dry. So, in short, expect a result.
Surrey's last championship victory at Whitgift School was against
the same opponents, albeit five years ago, and now seems an ideal
time to be playing Essex. Verdict - Surrey win.
A Cook, J Mickleburgh, M Pettini, M Walker, A Wheater, J
Foster (capt/wk), G Napier, T Phillips, D Masters, C Wright and M
Chambers.
Richard Kettleborough and Graham Lloyd.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
19-22
Aug 2009 |
Lost By 9
Wickets |
Colchester |
Surrey |
Bat |
428
& 190 |
545
& 74-1 |
15-18
Jul 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Essex |
Bat |
352-8d |
401
& 201-3 |
16-18
Aug 2006 |
Lost By An
Inns & 2 Runs |
Colchester |
Surrey |
Bat |
330
& 198 |
530 |
31
May - 3 Jun 2006 |
Won By 6
Wickets |
Whitgift Sch |
Essex |
Bat |
433
& 178-4 |
365
& 244 |
17-19
Sep 2003 |
Lost By 8
Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
318
& 194 |
464
& 49-2 |
21-24
May 2003 |
Won By 258
Runs |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
376
& 381-7d |
252
& 247 |
13-16
Jun 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Ilford |
Surrey |
Bat |
198
& 306 |
296
& 153-2 |
25-28
May 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
498
& 206-5d |
300
& 312-4 |
14-17
May 1999 |
Won By 4
Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
195
& 272-6 |
262
& 204 |
11-15
Jun 1998 |
Match Drawn |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
373 |
203
& 75-4 |
4-7
Jun 1997 |
Lost By 147
Runs |
The Oval |
Essex |
Bat |
280
& 222 |
347
& 302 |
27
Jun - 1 Jul 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Southend |
Surrey |
Bat |
476-8d
& 167-2 |
425-9d |
6-10
Jul 1995 |
Lost By 7
Wickets |
The Oval |
Essex |
Field |
437
& 203 |
493
& 151-3 |
11-15
Aug 1994 |
Lost By An
Inns & 87 Runs |
Colchester |
Essex |
Bat |
88
& 203 |
378 |
13-17
May 1993 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
330
& 178-4 |
418
& 153 |
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