SURREY V ESSEX at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 24-27 SEPTEMBER 2018
The newly-crowned champions play
host to third. Leaving aside their ten-wicket defeat to Surrey at
Chelmsford three weeks ago, Essex have finished the season in
reasonable fettle. Along with Somerset and Notts, they definitely have
the depth of talent needed to mount a title challenge next summer,
especially if Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter stay fit. Last year, the
pair bagged 147 championship wickets between them. Porter's 7-41 on
the opening day against Worcester last week took their joint tally for
this season to 100.
Essex will be bolstered for this
match by the presence of Murali Vijay.
Still only 24, Vijay has made 59 Test appearances for India,
not to mention 12 Test hundreds. His signing, to see out the
campaign, represents something of a coup,
because the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) are
notoriously reluctant to let their players anywhere near county
cricket; even those who, like Vijay, rarely feature in the IPL.
After two appearances for Essex, Vijay is averaging 80.33. Prior to
that, only Ravi Bopara could be relied upon to deliver runs. Bopara
has so far made 743 in the championship at an average of 46.43.
As has already been eluded to,
Essex's bowling has relied heavily on the seam of Porter (52
championship wickets at 24.53) and the spin of Harmer (56 at 22.71).
But Australia's Peter Siddle was a game changer during his seven-match
stint as overseas player and 21-year-old fast bowler Sam Cook in
definitely one for the future.
Shockingly, Rory Burns is
only averaging 46.75 (374 runs) at the Oval
this season, in the championship, compared with an average of 85.91
(945 runs) away from SE11. It really is time
the skipper upped his game!
And Simon Wilde take note: In terms of the 12 games it took Surrey to
clinch the County Championship, 61 per cent of their runs and 72 per
cent of wickets taken came courtesy of players who started out in the
Surrey Academy.
Surrey v
Essex - First-Class Records Sheet
Rikki Clarke and Ollie Pope have, in first-class
for the season, 45 wickets and 958 runs respectively. In career
terms, Essex's Simon Harmer (494 wickets), Dan Lawrence (2,867 runs)
and Tom Westley (8,997 runs) have significant milestones in their
sights.
Dean Elgar has now
finished his second stint as Surrey's overseas player this season,
while both Curran brothers are rested on the orders of the England
management, ahead of the forthcoming one-day international series out
in Sri Lanka. The Oval outfit's 13-man squad includes Jade Dernbach,
Will Jacks, Stuart Meaker and Ryan Patel.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Somerset |
18-21 Sep 2018 |
Match Drawn |
Taunton |
485 |
146 & 168-3 |
Worcestershire |
10-13 Sep 2018 |
Won By 3 Wickets |
Worcester |
268 & 274-7 |
336 & 203 |
Essex |
4-7 Sep 2018 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
351 & 2-0 |
126 & 226 |
Nottinghamshire |
29-31 Aug 2018 |
Won By An Inns & 125 Runs |
The Oval |
375 |
101 & 149 |
Lancashire |
19-22 Aug 2018 |
Won By 6 Runs |
The Oval |
211 & 306 |
247 & 264 |
I have to admit, I'm surprised Surrey have only beaten Essex at the
Oval just once since 1991 and that, subsequently, Essex have tasted
victory on three occasions out of 7 in SE11. Although it wouldn't
matter if Surrey drew or lost this one, they will be keen - judging
by Alec Stewart's comments following the farcical end to the
Somerset game at Taunton - to end the season on a high note. The
weather forecast looks optimistic, which is a relief following two,
almost solid days of rain in the South East. So, here goes... a
Surrey win.
N.Browne, M.Vijay, T.Westley, D.Lawrence, R.Bopara, R.ten Doeschate (capt),
A.Wheater (wk), S.Harmer, M.Coles, J.Porter and S.Cook.
To be announced.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
ESSEX |
4-6 Sep 2018 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
351 & 2-0 |
126 & 226 |
9-12 Jun 2017 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
Guildford |
Uncontested |
Field |
399 & 288 |
435 & 253-2 |
26-29 May 2017 |
Match Drawn |
Chelmsford |
Surrey |
Bat |
369 & 260-9d |
383 |
7-10 Aug 2015 |
Won By 3 Wickets |
Colchester |
Essex |
Bat |
346 & 314-7 |
369 & 289-9d |
26-29 Apr 2015 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Essex |
Field |
340 & 95-2 |
610-8d |
25-28 May 2014 |
Match Drawn |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Bat |
261-7 |
228 |
20-23 Apr 2014 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
237 |
306 & 258-4d |
7-10 Sep 2011 |
Won By 109 Runs |
Chelmsford |
Essex |
Field |
315 & 286 |
253 & 239 |
18-21 May 2011 |
Match Drawn |
Whitgift Sch |
Surrey |
Field |
506 & 65-1 |
548 & 324 |
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 |
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