SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 7-10 APRIL 2017
One preview I saw, covering
Warwickshire's prospects for the coming season, described the Bears'
championship cricket as possessing a "nagging sense of stagnation."
For a line-up that includes some big names, some that many a side
would bite Warwickshire's hand off to sign, that seems a bit unkind.
However, you could argue that, for most of their leading lights, their
best years appear to be behind them. Also, if one looks beyond the Bears' first choice eleven, you do
start to wonder whether there is sufficient depth to overcome a spate
of
injuries. Boyd Rankin (back), Olly Stone (anterior cruciate
ligament) and Ian Westwood (left foot) begin the campaign on the
physio's bench, but all, it could be argued, are not central figures.
England all-rounder Chris Woakes (currently appearing in the
IPL) is conspicuous by his absence, though.
The trump cards in Warwickshire's
deck are Keith Barker and Jeetan Patel, who, between them, sent down
very nearly half the overs bowled by the Bears in last year's
championship. Off-spinner Patel, who continues as primary overseas
player, took 69 wickets at 24.02 runs apiece, backed up by Barker's 59
at an average of 23.13. Rikki Clarke and Chris Wright - the latter
when fit - proved to be a pretty decent support cast. But, other than
Jonathan Trott (975 runs at 44.31 last term) and the former England
keeper-batsman Tim Ambrose no one on show for Warwickshire over the
next four days managed to average 35-plus in 2016.
Surrey v
Warwickshire - First-Class Records Sheet
Scott Borthwick goes into
his first championship appearance for Surrey with 196 first-class
career wickets under his belt, while Warwickshire's Oliver Hannon-Dalby
appears to be on the verge of his 50th f-c outing. His previous 49
have brought 98 first-class wickets, while fellow seamer Chris
Wright requires one more for 350. Banks, Panayi and Thornton, all of
whom are listed in the visitors squad will, should they play, be
making their first-class debut.
Surrey have named newcomers Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman in
their 13-man squad for tomorrow, along with Jade Dernbach, who,
astonishingly, has not played championship cricket since Bristol in
August 2015. The full line-up reads as follows: Gareth Batty
(captain), Zafar Ansari, Scott Borthwick, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Tom
Curran, Jade Dernbach, Ben Foakes (wk), Mark Footitt, Stuart Meaker,
Kumar Sangakkara, Dominic Sibley and Mark Stoneman.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Durham |
13-16 Sep 2016 |
Lost By 21 Runs |
The Riverside |
367 & 259 |
401 & 246 |
Hampshire |
6-9 Sep 2016 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
329 & 248-3 |
582-9d |
Lancashire |
23-26 Aug 2016 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
480 & 39-0 |
287 & 230 |
Warwickshire |
13-16 Aug 2016 |
Won By 226 Runs |
Edgbaston |
252 & 390 |
247 & 169 |
Middlesex |
4-7 Aug 2016 |
Match Drawn |
Lord's |
415 & 266-7d |
293 & 278-6 |
Now, let me see... Surrey have triumphed in just one of their last
14 County Championship curtain-raisers. Their last opening game
success came against Sussex in 2012. Furthermore, Warwickshire
haven't lost at the Oval over four days since 1998. To be fair, only
half of the corresponding fixtures since have been contested in SE11
(Guildford has played host to three and Whitgift School one). Having
said all that, on paper at least, Surrey have the edge for me. With
the weather forecast set fair, this promises to be a fascinating
contest. Prediction - victory for the hosts, with no quarter being
given by the visiting Bears.
W.Porterfield, A.Mellor, J.Trott, I.Bell (capt), S.Hain, T.Ambrose
(wk), R.Clarke, K.Barker, J.Patel, C.Wright and O.Hannon-Dalby.
Richard Illingworth and Billy Taylor.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
WARWS |
13-16 Aug 2016 |
Won By 226 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
252 & 390 |
247 & 169 |
2-4 Jul 2016 |
Lost By 10 Wickets |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Bat |
273 & 177 |
449 & 5-0 |
17-20 Sep 2013 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Field |
400-5d & Forfeited |
120-0d & 281-4 |
5-8 Jun 2013 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
Warwicks |
Bat |
274 & 234-4 |
631-9d |
27-30 Jul 2012 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
286 & 202-3 |
571 |
23-26 May 2012 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
223 & 245 |
247 & 222-5 |
6-9 Sep 2007 |
Won By 9 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
373 & 179-1 |
285 & 264 |
9-12 May 2007 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Warwicks |
Bat |
400-1d |
329 & 5-0 |
10-13 Sep 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Field |
225 & 313-5d |
338 &26-0 |
1-4 Jun 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Whitgift Sch |
Surrey |
Bat |
340 & 310-7d |
209 & 222-3 |
21-24 Jul 2004 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
331 & 412 |
537 & 207-3 |
12-15 May 2004 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
302 & 414 |
546 & 171-3 |
9-12 Jul 2003 |
Won By 135 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
355 & 450-5d |
245 & 425 |
30 Apr - 3 May 2003 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Warwicks |
Bat |
390 |
413 & 221-7d |
27-30 Aug 2002 |
Match Drawn |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Bat |
544 |
345 & 404-9d |
10-13 Jul 2002 |
Lost By 31 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
475 & 137 |
293 & 350 |
21-23 Jul 1999 |
Won By An Inns & 123 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
483 |
227 & 133 |
23-27 Apr 1998 |
Won By An Inns & 49 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
405-6d |
207 & 149 |
2-5 Jul 1997 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Edgbaston |
Warwicks |
Field |
193 & 144 |
306 & 34-5 |
29-31 Aug 1996 |
Won By An Inns & 164 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
468 |
195 & 109 |
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