SUSSEX V SURREY
at Hove (FCC1), 16-19 SEPTEMBER 2004
With the Ovalites eyeing up second place and Sussex out to stop them this should
be a meaty contest to end the season. But since being
bowled to victory over Worcestershire by Mushtaq Ahmed, the Martlets have gone
three championship matches without a win. With the exception of ‘Mushy’ and,
maybe, Matt Prior, the Eaton Road outfit have looked as though they cannot wait
for the campaign to end.
Few, probably not even themselves, expected Sussex to retain the championship
title. But, generally speaking, they have been free from the worry of
relegation, which just goes to underline what a good job coach Peter Moores has
done at Hove since being appointed cricket manager in 1999.
Tony Cottey will be making his 277th and perhaps final first-class
appearance, following today’s news that the Welshman is not going to be offered
a new contract, despite averaging 41.27 since returning to the Sussex line-up at
the end of July.
Sussex's Ian Ward (985) and Chris Adams (922 at an average
of 48.52) are closing in on 1,000 championship runs for the summer. But,
honestly, where would the Seasiders be without Mushtaq Ahmed (79 wickets at
26.50 runs apiece) when the next best is Mohammed Akram's 43 at 33.74?
Mark Ramprakash needs 76 more runs for 5,000
f-c runs for Surrey. Mark Butcher's tally of first-class centuries stands at
29, so, Butch, this may only be your second championship visit to Hove, but it's just one more for your thirtieth
ton, mate. Ali Brown has made 978 runs in first-class
cricket this summer. Rikki Clarke is 111 away from 2,000 f-c career runs and
requires three wickets for his first-class half-century; as does Tim
Murtagh in terms of f-c wickets for the Oval outfit. Finally, Jimmy Ormond needs one more five-wicket haul for
the 20th of his first-class career.
Surprisingly, given that rain has fallen in the South East in the last few days,
the weather forecast for the coast looks highly optimistic. That suggests there
should be time in this game to achieve a positive result, as has been the case
in five out of the last six four-day meetings at Hove between Sussex and Surrey.
On the last occasion these two sides met at Eaton Road in September, the
visitors won the toss, batted first and were victorious by an innings, thanks to
a match haul of 12/105 by one Keith Medlycott. So, watch out for who calls
correctly and expect turn.
Following his “clear the air” meeting with Steve Rixon, Rikki Clarke – in for
Azhar Mahmood – is likely to be the only new face in the side that crushed
Lancashire at Old Trafford. Anyway, what a difference a year makes – this time
round, Surrey’s team selection for the last match of the campaign suggests that
the chance of finishing in the prize-money does count for something!
I Ward, R Montgomerie, T Cottey, M Goodwin, C Adams (capt), M Prior (wk), R
Martin-Jenkins, M Davis, Mushtaq Ahmed, J Kirtley and J Lewry.
16-19 Apr 2004 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
30 Jul - 2 Aug 2003 |
Match Drawn |
Hove |
30 May - 2 Jun 2003 |
Won By 113 Runs |
The Oval |
8-11 Aug 2002 |
Lost By 4 Wickets |
Hove |
19-22 Apr 2002 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
The Oval |
18-21 Aug 1999 |
Won By 207 Runs |
Hove |
30 Jul - 1 Aug 1998 |
Won By An Innings & 69 Runs |
The Oval |
28-30 Aug 1997 |
Won By An Innings & 101 Runs |
Hove |
17-20 Jul 1996 |
Won By 135 Runs |
Guildford |
15-19 Jun 1995 |
Match Drawn |
Horsham |
28 Jul - 1 Aug 1994 |
Lost By An Innings & 34 Runs |
The Oval |
6-8 May 1993 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Hove |
29 May - 1 Jun 1992 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
28-31 Aug 1991 |
Won By An Innings & 128 Runs |
The Oval |
2-4 Jul 1991 |
Match Drawn |
Arundel |
18-20 Jul 1990 |
Lost By 7 Wickets |
Guildford |
26-30 Apr 1990 |
Lost By 5 Wickets |
Hove |
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