One look at the Division One table illustrates that this match is a crucial one for both sides. Both are still awaiting their first championship win of the season, whilst for Surrey it is still a case of searching for a first success of any kind. With the weather forecasters saying it will be cloudy throughout, but with only a slim chance of rain, there seems every chance of a result on a wicket that has already been used for two one-day matches. As with Sunday’s encounter the visitors have surprisingly been made the odds-on favourites, while Warwickshire are 11-10 against. In terms of their title aspirations, however, neither is particularly favoured by the bookmakers, which is understandable given the excellent starts made by Kent, Lancashire and Middlesex. Ashley Giles makes his first appearance of the campaign for the home side, but there is some debate as to who he will replace. The clever money seems to be on Alan Richardson making way. However, given Jim Troughton’s lack of form with the bat, the hosts also have the option of playing Brad Hogg more as an all-rounder. Either way, it seems there is a strong chance of slow-left-armers bowling at both ends, which must rank as something of a novelty. The dangermen as far as Surrey are concerned are undoubtedly Jonathan Trott and Dougie Brown. Trott top scored for the midlands county at the weekend and has made half centuries in both of his visits to the crease in the championship this season, while Brown has opened his account by taking 7 wickets at an average of twenty. Milestones? Well, assuming he plays, this match will be Azhar Mahmood’s one hundredth first-class appearance. Jimmy Ormond is now just two wickets away from his 100th championship scalp for Surrey. Finally, Mark Ramprakash, who is one away from his fifth first-class hundred against Warwickshire, has now claimed 196 catches in first-class cricket.
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