SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the Brit Oval (LVCC1), 9-12 SEPTEMBER 2008

Let's be positive for once - it's still mathematically possible for Surrey to avoid the drop and with Shoaib Akhtar primed to prove his doubters wrong anything can happen as long as the rain stays away; which, thankfully, the forecasters are saying it will do for the most part this week.

Hampshire welcome back ("back" being the operative word) Michael Brown and John Crawley for this contest. Without them the Rose Bowl outfit have looked a bit thin in the batting department. Despite missing the last two matches Brown is still, comfortably, Hampshire's leading run-maker in this season's championship with 802 runs at an average of 40.10. The 28-year-old opener, who, along with four of his team-mates, has only struck one hundred this term, made 66 and 94 against Surrey when these sides met in May. Michael Lumb and Nic Pothas have had their moments, but, generally, Hampshire's batting line-up is one of the flimsiest in the country right now.

Chris Tremlett is also likely to return from injury for this clash, but with 23 wickets at 36.86 runs apiece his record is only marginally better than Surrey's Pedro Collins. Hampshire do, however, possess two of the most consistent performers with the cherry in James Tomlinson, who has collected 59 championship scalps at an average of 24.50 and Imran Tahir, who has picked up 32 wickets in just five four-day appearances. 


Jonathan Batty has effected 498 f-c dismissals as a Surrey player. Dimitri Mascarenhas has 394 f-c wickets going into this contest, while Chris Tremlett has 246 f-c wickets for Hampshire.  


Shoaib Akhtar is poised to make his Surrey debut, with Jimmy Ormond tipped as the man most likely to make way. However, Murtaza Hussain is included in the squad of thirteen.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
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
Somerset 12-15 Aug 2008 Match Drawn Taunton 406-9 401-3d
Yorkshire 30 Jul - 2 Aug 2008 Match Drawn Headingley 204 & 264-3 414-9d


If I didn't say that I think Surrey will win, some of you will be questioning my faith in the boys. So, no question, the Brown Caps will break their championship duck.


M Carberry, M Brown, M Lumb, J Crawley, C Benham, S Ervine, N Pothas (wk), A Mascarenhas (capt), C Tremlett, Imran Tahir and J Tomlinson.


Nigel Llong and Neil Mallender.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY HAMPSHIRE
14-17 May 2008 Match Drawn Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 278 & 229-8d 227 & 247-8
30 Aug - 2 Sep 2007 Won By An Inns & 37 Runs Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 556 221 & 298
25-28 Apr 2007 Lost By 35 Runs The Oval Hampshire Bat 203 & 467 481 & 224-1
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
18-22 Aug 1994 Lost By An Inns & 68 Runs Southampton Surrey Bat 150 & 385 603-7d

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