SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the
Brit Oval (LVCC1), 25-28 APRIL 2007
Surrey may not know what it is to lose in the County Championship to
Hampshire, who are the ante-post favourites for this year's crown. The last time
the Brown Caps copped a bloody nose off them was back in August 1994, but this
will be the first time Shane Warne has skippered his adopted county against
Surrey, whose confidence was severely dented by last week's heavy defeat to the
previously unfancied Yorkshire.
The visitors have added Michael Brown to the side that convincingly beat Middlesex in
the Friends Provident Trophy. However, Michael Carberry (knee), Sean Ervine
(shin), Dimitri Mascarenhas (heel) and Chris Tremlett (back) are all likely to
be sidelined. Consequently, 24-year-old left-arm seamer James Tomlinson, of whom
big things are expected, comes in; as does the experienced and much underrated
medium-pacer Billy Taylor.
But, for wickets, the visitors will be relying on James Bruce, who averaged
29.18 with the ball last term and Warne, who bowled more overs than any other
Hampshire bowler in 2006 and was their leading wicket-taker with 58 victims at
27.08 runs apiece and four five-wicket-plus hauls. But as impressive as it was,
Warne's record wasn't in the same league as Mushtaq Ahmed's feats for title
winners Sussex. Furthermore, despite enjoying a victorious Ashes series against
England, the 37-year-old leg-spinner took just 10 Pura Cup wickets at an average
of 41.70 for Victoria during the winter.
With the bat, all of Hampshire's top order either got runs in the warm-up
match against Cardiff UCCE or in last Sunday's victory over Middlesex. But it
should not be forgotten that in 2006 they relied far too heavily on just three
men - John Crawley (1737 runs at an average of 66.80), Nic Pothas and Jimmy
Adams in the championship.
Of those players likely to be on show, Azhar Mahmood, with 494, is approaching
500 first-class wickets. Steve Magoffin needs three more scalps for 100 career
f-c wickets. In terms of his Surrey career, Jimmy Ormond has now taken 197
first-class wickets. Finally, of the visitors, 26-year-old all-rounder Greg Lamb
is three runs away from 1,000 in f-c cricket.
Surrey captain Mark Butcher returns from a groin strain to make his
season's championship debut. However, Ian Salisbury (arm) will have to pass a
late fitness test before being risked, while Rikki Clarke, stand-in captain last week, is
definitely out with a toe injury. Finally, Mohammad Akram is named in the Surrey
squad and is likely to be pressed into action following his good showing with
the ball in Sunday's FP Trophy win over the Kent Spitfires.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Yorkshire |
18-21 Apr 2007 |
Lost By 346 Runs |
The Oval |
344 & 170 |
494-9d & 266-7d |
Derbyshire |
20-23 Sep 2006 |
Won By 5 Wickets |
Derby |
275-8d & 273-5 |
385 & 162-8d |
Gloucestershire |
6-9 Sep 2006 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
288 & 470-9 |
459 & 329-8d |
Glamorgan |
30 Aug - 1 Sep 2006 |
Won By 218 Runs |
The Oval |
433 & 309-5d |
269 & 255 |
Essex |
16-18 Aug 2006 |
Lost By An Inns & 2 Runs |
Colchester |
330 & 198 |
530 |
The weather projections have improved from what the forecasters were saying a
few days ago, so, with a result on the cards, I don't have the get out of
sitting on the fence on this one. The return of Mark Butcher will, I believe,
make a big difference for Surrey, but if Shane Warne takes eight or more wickets
in the match it is difficult to envisage anything but a Hampshire
victory.
N Pothas (wk), C Benham, M Lumb, J Crawley, J
Adams, G Lamb, S Warne (capt), S Udal, J Bruce, J Tomlinson and B Taylor.
Graham Burgess and Vanburn Holder.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
HAMPSHIRE |
24-27
Aug 2005 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
378 &
302 |
361-6d |
15-17
Jun 2005 |
Won By An Inns & 55
Runs |
Rose Bowl |
Surrey |
Bat |
361 |
146 &
160 |
11-14
Sep 2002 |
Won By 123 Runs |
Rose Bowl |
Surrey |
Bat |
418 &
422-8d |
327 &
390 |
22-25
Aug 2002 |
Won By An Inns & 60
Runs |
The Oval |
Hampshire |
Bat |
576 |
190 &
326 |
29
Jun - 2 Jul 2000 |
Won By 120 Runs |
Southampton |
Surrey |
Bat |
331 &
228-6d |
167 &
272 |
1-4
Jun 2000 |
Won By 2 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
333 &
142 |
210 &
263 |
14-17
Jul 1999 |
Won By 156 Runs |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Bat |
171 &
482 |
322 &
175 |
13-15
May 1998 |
Won By An Inns & 184
Runs |
Southampton |
Surrey |
Bat |
591 |
189 &
218 |
16-19
Jul 1997 |
Won By 9 Wickets |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Bat |
477 &
78-1 |
303 &
251 |
25-29
Jul 1996 |
Won By 5 Wickets |
Southampton |
Hampshire |
Bat |
331 &
332-5 |
359 &
301-4d |
14-18
Sep 1995 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Hampshire |
Bat |
71-2d
& 175-2 |
185 &
152 |
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