SURREY V GLOUCESTERSHIRE at
the Brit Oval (LVCC2), 15-18 APRIL 2009
Well, Chris Adams promised changes, but despite some of them being forced
upon him - with the injury to Mark Butcher and Mark Ramprakash's suspension -
few could have predicted Adams's first 13-man squad omitting the name of Scott
Newman. Consequently there is a distinct accent on youth. Or perhaps Surrey are
just thumbing their noses at their highly unfancied visitors, who, like them,
went through the entire 2008 championship campaign without winning so much as a
single match.
Will John Bracewell follow suit? Given the age profile of his squad, one
assumes Bracewell will be less likely to make such wholesale changes. The main
thing Gloucestershire's batting line-up would appear to need is the freedom to
express itself. In wicketkeeper-batsman Steve Snell, they appeared to unearth a
real gem in 2008. But it hard to see Gloucestershire's attack taking 20 wickets
on more than a handful of occasions this summer. Much will depend on the
progress of Vikram Banerjee, David Brown, Ian Saxleby and Rob Woodman.
Michael Brown, Laurie Evans and Andre Nel look set to make their Surrey debuts.
Usman Afzaal needs 25 more runs for 1,000 first-class runs for the Brown Caps.
Chris Schofield requires four more wickets for his 200th in first-class cricket.
Of the Gloucestershire contingent, David Brown currently has 975 first-class
runs to his name, while Jon Lewis, with 595, needs five more scalps for 600
first-class wickets for the west country outfit.
As has already been said, the Brown Caps have named a new look squad for this
game. Michael Brown, who will skipper the hosts in the absence of Butcher, will
be making his Surrey debut. His opening partner will not be Scott Newman, but
21-year-old Laurie Evans. With Ramprakash suspended for two championship
matches, Matthew Spriegel or Usman Afzaal will bat at three, while James Benning
has been given the nod over Stewart Walters at six. The bowling attack will be
led by new Kolpak signing Andre Nel, who is likely to open up with Jade
Dernbach. Alex Tudor or Chris Jordan will be first change, while Chris Schofield
will most likely provide the spin threat.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Nottinghamshire |
17-19
Sep 2008 |
Lost By An Inns & 143 Runs |
The Oval |
267 & 122 |
532 |
Hampshire |
9-12
Sep 2008 |
Lost By An Inns & 122 Runs |
The Oval |
210 & 148 |
480-8d |
Kent |
4-7
Sep 2008 |
Match Drawn |
Canterbury |
307-9d |
160-1 |
Lancashire |
27-30
Aug 2008 |
Match Abandoned |
Blackpool |
- |
- |
Sussex |
20-23
Aug 2008 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
455 & 171-7d |
328 & 154-3 |
Seeing as Chris Adams isn't making any predictions, how come you expect me to?
Anyway, the four-day weather forecast gives us a good clue as to the likely
outcome. The Met Office is saying that only day four will be uninterrupted. If
that is how things turn out, you can bank on a draw, especially if the ructions
over the Mike Gatting approved ball prove to have foundation.
G Hodnett, Kadeer Ali, H Marshall, C Taylor, A Gidman (capt), S Snell (wk), D
Brown, J Franklin, J Lewis, S Kirby and V Banerjee.
Steve Garratt and Neil Mallender. See also The
Dreaded Finger
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
GLOS |
6-9
Sep 2006 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Field |
288 &
470-9 |
459 &
329-8d |
3-5
May 2006 |
Won By An Inns & 297
Runs |
The Oval |
Glos |
Bat |
639-8d |
207 &
135 |
16-19
Aug 2005 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Glos |
Bat |
463 |
350
&294-6 |
8-11
Jul 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
603 &
84-3 |
288 &
494 |
18-21
Jun 2004 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
598 |
368 &
255-9 |
2-4
Jun 2004 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
298 &
213 |
406 &
106-4 |
13-16
Apr 1999 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Glos |
Field |
342 &
229-7d |
213 &
209-5 |
22-24
Jul 1998 |
Lost By 2 Wickets |
Cheltenham |
Surrey |
Bat |
297 &
135 |
167 &
266-8 |
14-16
May 1997 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
115 &
269 |
371 &
15-1 |
23-27
May 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Gloucester |
Glos |
Bat |
228-6d
& 174-8 |
373 &
163-2d |
27-30
Apr 1995 |
Won By 93 Runs |
The Oval |
Glos |
Bat |
217 &
475 |
392 &
207 |
26-30
May 1994 |
Won By 1 Wicket |
Gloucester |
Surrey |
Field |
72-3d
& 354-9 |
319-7d
& 106-4d |
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