SURREY V LEICESTERSHIRE at the Kia Oval (LVCC2), 10-13 MAY 2015
Leicestershire may be without a
win in the championship since the end of 2012, but there are signs of
the Foxes turning the corner. One could argue they've had the upper
hand in all three of their outings under new skipper Mark Cosgrove.
Had it not been for David Willey's second innings 88 at Northampton
and Daniel Bell-Drummond's hundred on the final day at Canterbury,
Leicestershire could well be occupying second spot in Division Two. As
it is, the Oval will play host to seventh and eighth tomorrow.
With just two batsmen in their
line-up with a championship batting average over 28 last year, and not
one bowler who averaged less than 35 in Division Two, Leicestershire's
expectations were at rock bottom coming into the campaign. Niall O'Brien,
who made 971 championship runs at an average of 38.84 in 2014, is
currently bowling along at 68.50. Mark Cosgrove and Ned Eckersley are
averaging 49.40 and 47.33 respectively, and opener
Angus Robson, who was so consistent last year with ten scores of fifty
or more, already has a couple of half-centuries under his belt.
A few eyebrows were raised when Leicestershire
signed Clint McKay, a limited-overs
specialist, as their overseas player. But
the 32-year-old all-rounder has made
an immediate impact, alongside fellow Aussie and
new signing Cosgrove, by taking 13
championship wickets at 22.23 runs apiece on top of averaging 31.50
with the bat. McKay's magic appears to have rubbed off on Charlie
Shreck, who currently has 16 scalps. All the Foxes need now is for it
to rub off on the rest of the attack - Ollie Freckingham, Ben Raine,
Rob Taylor and off-spinner Jigar Naik.
Rory Burns is 80 shy of 3,000 first-class career
runs. Of the
Leicestershire contingent, Matthew Boyce looks set to make his 100th
f-c appearance, while Mark Cosgrove (9,988) is closing in on 10,000
first-class runs.
Stuart Meaker is named in the squad for the third time this season,
but is expected to miss out again following the news that both Gareth
Batty (calf) and Chris Tremlett (hamstring) have regained full
fitness. Sadly, the side strain Jade Dernbach picked up during Essex's
visit to the Oval puts the 29-year-old seamer out of the picture.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Essex |
26-29 Apr 2015 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
340 & 95-2 |
610-8d |
Glamorgan |
19-22 Apr 2015 |
Match Drawn |
Cardiff |
563-7d & 207-4d |
419 & 116-0 |
Derbyshire |
15-17 Sep 2014 |
Lost By 8 Wickets |
The Oval |
181 & 279 |
210 & 251-2 |
Worcestershire |
9-12 Sep 2014 |
Lost By 27 Runs |
Worcester |
406 & 189 |
272 & 350 |
Leicestershire |
15-18 Aug 2014 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
480 & 279-5d |
373 & 232-6 |
Leicestershire have won the toss prior to 8 of the previous 9
four-day meetings between these two sides. Having made in excess of
236 in the first innings against the Foxes on 14 successive occasions,
Surrey will not doubt fancy batting first should the coin land
kindly for the hosts. The weather forecast suggests there will be no
more than the occasional shower on day three, so I'm going for a
first win of the season to Surrey.
A Robson, M Boyce, N Eckersley, M Cosgrove (capt), N Pinner, N
O'Brien (wk), B Raine, C McKay, R Taylor, J Naik and C Shreck.
Paul Baldwin and Nigel Cowley.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
LEICS |
15-18 Aug 2014 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Leics |
Field |
480 & 279-5d |
373 & 232-6 |
22-25 Jun 2014 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
522-9d & 69-0 |
271 & 319 |
23-25 Aug 2011 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Leicester |
Leics |
Bat |
343 & 111-0 |
167 & 286 |
4-6 May 2011 |
Won By 215 Runs |
The Oval |
Leics |
Field |
294 & 311-6d |
183 & 207 |
24-27 Aug 2010 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Leics |
Field |
483 & Forfeited |
123-0d & 338-8 |
4-6 Jun 2010 |
Lost By An Inns & 60 Runs |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
236 & 183 |
479 |
31 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
608-4d |
593-5d & 23-0 |
16-19 Jun 2009 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Leics |
Bat |
329 |
165 & 487-5d |
7-10 Jun 2006 |
Won By An Inns & 158 Runs |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
668-7d |
251 & 259 |
26-29 Apr 2006 |
Won By 99 Runs |
Leicester |
Surrey |
Bat |
370 & 287-7d |
244 & 314 |
21-24 Aug 2003 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Surrey |
Bat |
501 & 117-2 |
166 & 636-4d |
14-17 May 2003 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
560-8d |
200 & 185-8 |
18-21 Sep 2002 |
Won By 483 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
494 & 492-9d |
361 & 142 |
14-16 Aug 2002 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
Leicester |
Surrey |
Bat |
540 & 42-3 |
290 & 289 |
4-7 Jul 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Leics |
Bat |
102 & 478-9 |
165 & 472-8d |
16-19 May 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
190 |
246 & 94-5 |
19-21 Jul 2000 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Guildford |
Leics |
Bat |
288 & 119-0 |
318 & 87 |
7-9 Jul 2000 |
Won By An Inns & 178 Runs |
Oakham Sch |
Surrey |
Bat |
505 |
143 & 184 |
9-12 Jun 1999 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
Leics |
Bat |
501 |
272 & 239-4 |
17-19 Sep 1998 |
Lost By An Inns & 211 Runs |
The Oval |
Leics |
Bat |
146 & 228 |
585-6d |
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