SURREY V MIDDLESEX at Guildford (CC1), 23-26 JULY 2003
Since these two sides met at Lord's at the end of June,
Middlesex have decamped to Southgate where they beat Leicestershire by eight
wickets and managed to salvage a draw against Warwickshire. So, tomorrow's
visitors know all about playing on so-called out-grounds. That said, Surrey have
won on their last eight championship visits to Guildford. Furthermore they have
not lost to their North London rivals since 1995, when Mark Ramprakash made the
small matter of 214 runs.
Of course Ramprakash has subsequently switched allegiances
and his former team-mates will be pleased to know that he averages just 11.25 at
the Woodbridge Road ground. In fact Middlesex would do better to target Ian
Ward, who, in addition to leading the home side, averages a healthy 72.16 at
Guildford and, of course, made a superb 104 at the home of cricket four weeks
ago.
Tomorrow's visitors have four batsmen in their ranks
currently averaging over 45 in this season's championship. Three of them have
enjoyed hundreds since Surrey and Middlesex last did battle. The only man to
miss out - as he has done all summer in fact - was Sven Koenig, who averages
48.46 despite not having reached three figures. Top of the pile is Ben Hutton
(630 runs at an average of 63.00), who top scored against the Oval outfit at
Lord's last month and goes into this encounter with a match-saving century
against Warwickshire under his belt.
Middlesex's weakness in the bowling department has not been
helped by the form of their overseas signings Abdul Razzaq, who averages 41.00
in the championship, and Ashley Noffke, who is surprisingly lagging behind with
13 wickets at 42.84 runs apiece. 26-year-old seamer Simon Cook has,
therefore, been recalled to the squad and could either oust Jamie Dalrymple, who
made a pair in the last match against Warwickshire, or possibly one of the
aforementioned big wage-earners.
With rain said to be a near certainty for Friday, it could all come down to who
gets off to the best start tomorrow. Nevertheless, based on recent visits to Guildford,
not to mention the strength of the batting on show, it
will take a special performance for one of these two sides to achieve victory in
just three day's play. It will be a major upset, therefore, if Middlesex were to come
out on top. Prediction: a draw or, if time allows, a win for the Oval outfit.
Adam Hollioake and Azhar Mahmood are both reported to be doubtful and Alex Tudor
is said to be putting up with a "minor niggle", so, with Mark Butcher and Alec
Stewart on Test duty as well, Ian Ward seems set to lead a much changed Surrey
side - not that Keith Medlycott will be short of class names to put on the team
sheet.
A Strauss (capt), S Koenig, J Dalrymple, O Shah, B Hutton, E Joyce, Abdul Razzaq,
P Weekes, D Nash (wk), A Noffke and C Keegan.
AGAINST MIDDLESEX:
27-30 Jun 2003 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
9-12 Sep 1999 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
15-17 Jul 1998 |
Won By 280 Runs |
Guildford |
15-17 Aug 1997 |
Won By An Innings & 125 Runs |
Lord's |
4-8 Jul 1996 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
The Oval |
29 Jun - 3 Jul 1995 |
Lost By An Innings & 76 Runs |
Lord's |
25-29 Aug 1994 |
Lost By 2 Wickets |
The Oval |
24-28 Jun 1993 |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
Lord's |
12-15 Sep 1992 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
23-26 May 1992 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
10-13 Sep 1991 |
Lost By 60 Runs |
Lord's |
20-22 Aug 1991 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
12-15 Sep 1990 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
23-25 May 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
AT GUILDFORD:
Yorkshire |
24-27 Jul 2002 |
Won By 6 Wickets |
Northamptonshire |
18-20 Jul 2001 |
Won By An Innings & 55 Runs |
Leicestershire |
19-21 Jul 2000 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Hampshire |
14-17 Jul 1999 |
Won By 156 Runs |
Middlesex |
15-17 Jul 1998 |
Won By 280 Runs |
Hampshire |
16-19 Jul 1997 |
Won By 9 Wickets |
Sussex |
17-20 Jul 1996 |
Won By 135 Runs |
Nottinghamshire |
20-24 Jul 1995 |
Won By 171 Runs |
Warwickshire |
14-18 Jul 1994 |
Lost By 256 Runs |
Gloucestershire |
15-17 Jul 1993 |
Won By An Innings & 66 Runs |
Warwickshire |
17-20 Jul 1992 |
Match Drawn |
Kent |
14-16 Jul 1992 |
Lost By 72 Runs |
Yorkshire |
19-22 Jul 1991 |
Won By 1 Wicket |
Gloucestershire |
16-18 Jul 1991 |
Won By 2 Wickets |
Kent |
21-24 Jul 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Sussex |
18-20 Jul 1990 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
GO TO:
BACK TO:
|