SURREY V NOTTINGHAMSHIRE at
the Brit Oval (LVCC1), 17-20 SEPTEMBER 2008
Well, Surrey are all but relegated, however there is nothing like finishing
the season on a high, which was what happened when the Brown Caps last went down, by
recording an emphatic victory over Middlesex. The good news for the home side is
that Nottinghamshire's championship challenge appears to be running out of
steam. Since the abandonment of their clash with Durham at Chester-le-Street,
the Trent Bridge outfit have registered draws against Sussex and Somerset.
In the game at Hove, Will Jefferson, who is averaging 18.06 in the
championship, recorded his highest score of the campaign. With Mark Wagh and
Bilal Shafayat also making hundreds in that contest, Nottinghamshire appear to
be in better shape with the bat than when they entertained Surrey back in July
and avoided defeat thanks to Samit Patel and Graeme Swann's rearguard on the
final day.
The Trent Bridge outfit's strength is undoubtedly with the ball. They
currently have seven bowlers who have taken 10 or more championship wickets at
an average of 30.04 or less. Stuart Broad and Ryan Sidebottom are two of them.
They will not feature in this match, but expect the remain five to do so; the
pick of which, for me, is Darren Pattinson, who has claimed his 41 victims at a
cost of 23.60 runs apiece.
With John Steele standing as one of the umpires in this match, expect Mark
Ramprakash to be on his best behaviour; given that the volley the former
Middlesex man gave Steele at the end of day one against Sussex has landed him a
disciplinary hearing at Lord's next week. But, significantly, Steele has umpired
15 championship matches involving Surrey and the Brown Caps haven't lost any of
them. His "record" is seven wins and eight draws.
Usman Afzaal (929 runs) and Scott Newman (971 runs) are both approaching 1,000
f-c runs for the season. Mark Wagh, with 863 championship runs this season, looks
likely to be the only Notts batsman to break through the 1,000-run barrier this term.
With Jade Dernbach (Achilles) and Saqlain Mushtaq out of contention, Surrey have
called up Simon King, who will take Saqlain's place, and Stuart Meaker and Lee
Hodgson, one of whom will fill in for Dernbach. Chris Murtagh is recalled and
seems likely to open. The hope is that a run of first wicket partnerships which,
of late, have read 0, 10, 3, 9, 0, 2 and 23 can only improve.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Hampshire |
9-12
Sep 2008 |
Lost By An Inns & 122 Runs |
The Oval |
210 & 148 |
480-8d |
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 |
For once, the forecasters are saying that we are unlikely to see any rain over
the next four days, so a positive result is definitely on the cards. Some people
are saying that Nottinghamshire are on course to win the title. With Broad and
Sidebottom under orders from the England management to rest, I don't share that
view. For me, Durham are the cream of Division One. Given that Nottinghamshire
have struggled with the bat at times and that their bowlers are used to plying
their trade on helpful wickets at Trent Bridge, this match is a potential banana
skin. For the Brown Caps there is no pressure. If they go out with the intention
of enjoying themselves they might just edge this contest. Yes - Surrey win.
W Jefferson, B Shafayat, A Adams, M Wagh, A Prince, M Wood, C Read (capt, wk), G
Swann, M Ealham, D Pattinson and C Shreck.
John Holder and John Steele.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
NOTTS |
11-14
Jul 2008 |
Match Drawn |
Trent Bridge |
Notts |
Field |
403 |
218 &
372-6 |
26-29
Jul 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Trent Bridge |
Surrey |
Bat |
136 &
292-6d |
226 & 169-8 |
6-9
May 2005 |
Lost By An Inns & 71
Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
217 &
404 |
692-7d |
13-15
Aug 2003 |
Won By An Inns & 211
Runs |
Whitgift School |
Surrey |
Bat |
693 |
240 & 242 |
9-11
May 2003 |
Won By An Inns & 6
Runs |
Trent Bridge |
Notts |
Bat |
393 |
211 & 176 |
1-2
Sep 1999 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
Notts |
Bat |
199 &
153-0 |
115 & 233 |
19-21
Aug 1998 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
Trent Bridge |
Surrey |
Field |
270 &
72-3 |
213 & 125 |
27-30
Jun 1997 |
Won By 131 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
201-9d
& 123-6d |
73-1d & 120 |
22-26
Aug 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Trent Bridge |
Notts |
Bat |
128-4d
& 53-0 |
446-9d & Forfeited |
20-24
Jul 1995 |
Won By 171 Runs |
Guildford |
Notts |
Field |
239 &
528-9d |
324 & 272 |
21-23
Jul 1994 |
Won By An Inns & 231
Runs |
Trent Bridge |
Notts |
Bat |
604-4d |
125 & 248 |
29-31
Jul 1993 |
Won By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
228 &
147-7 |
68 & 306 |
7-10
Sep 1992 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Trent Bridge |
Surrey |
Bat |
207 &
411 |
357 & 262-5 |
21-23
Jul 1992 |
Lost By 3 Wickets |
The Oval |
Notts |
Field |
333-4d
& 219-7d |
201-2d & 352-7 |
GO TO:
BACK TO:
|