SURREY V LANCASHIRE at the AMP Oval (CC1), 18-21 APRIL 2003
Andy Flintoff played in just one championship game last year
and Lancashire lost. But when you scratch the surface of that 'stat', one
discovers that he struck what should have been a match-winning hundred and the
opponents were the eventual champions Surrey. This time around the the
Oval outfit will be hoping Flintoff fails to take advantage of the short
boundary on the gasholder side, with Paul Brind, the Surrey groundsman, electing
to serve up 'Browney's pitch' for starters.
The acquisition of proven performers Mal Loye (from
Northants) and Iain Sutcliffe (from Leicestershire) addresses the weaknesses in
Lancashire's batting order which, on paper, goes all the way down to number
nine. But the main dangers from Surrey's point of view will be Flintoff
and Aussie Stuart Law, who unusually failed against them last summer, proving
unable to reach forty in four visits to the crease.
Surrey can take heart in the fact that Lancashire have
lost on three out of their last four championship visits to The Oval. Had
the game fallen later in the season, they would be even further encouraged that
both Ian Salisbury and Saqlain Mushtaq have good records against the red rose
county. With Bicknell and Ormond missing, much will rest on the bowling of
Alex Tudor. But he too has happy memories of facing Lancashire in the
championship - 30 wickets at 23.93 runs apiece - except the time when Andy
Flintoff took 34 off one over!
A good pitch, the threat of changeable weather as the match unfolds, but, more
than these, a wealth of batting on show from both sides points to a likely draw.
With five key players missing, the sides will be evenly matched. Azhar
Mahmood misses the game to complete his marriage celebrations, while Mark
Butcher and Alec Stewart are rested at the request of the England management.
Injuries? Yes, there are already a few. Martin Bicknell has a sore
hip, Jimmy Ormond is out with a side strain and Philip Sampson is coming back
from a shoulder injury.
A Swann, I Sutcliffe, M Loye, S Law, M Chilton, A Flintoff, W Hegg (capt, wk), G
Chapple, C Schofield, K Hogg and J Anderson.
31 May - 3 Jun 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
8-11 May 2002 |
Won By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
25-28 Apr 2001 |
Abandoned |
Old Trafford |
13-16 Sep 2000 |
Match Drawn |
Old Trafford |
2-5 Aug 2000 |
Won By 272 Runs |
The Oval |
15-18 Jun 1999 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
The Oval |
18-21 Jun 1998 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
10-12 Sep 1997 |
Lost By An Innings & 55 Runs |
The Oval |
7-9 Aug 1996 |
Won By 140 Runs |
Southport |
29 Aug - 1 Sep 1995 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
5-9 May 1994 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Old Trafford |
3-7 Jun 1993 |
Lost By 96 Runs |
The Oval |
4-6 Aug 1992 |
Lost By 86 Runs |
Lytham |
17-20 Sep 1991 |
Lost By 1 Wicket |
Old Trafford |
22-24 May 1991 |
Won By 8 Wickets |
The Oval |
29-31 Aug 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Blackpool |
3-7 May 1990 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
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