WARWICKSHIRE V SURREY at Edgbaston (LVCC1),
6-9 SEPTEMBER 2007
Other than when they met Worcestershire, Surrey go into a championship game
for the first time this season with less on their minds than their opponents. If
the truth be known, Warwickshire
are a team in turmoil. Amid rumours that he is about to be shown the door, Mark Greatbatch is still clinging on to
the manager's job. Darren Maddy, who
made an encouraging start as captain, and Kumar Sangakarra are both out of the
picture due to the World Twenty20 tournament. Heath Streak will not feature
either, following the announcement that he is quitting the game. With a number
of injuries to key players thrown in, the only small crumb of comfort has been
the arrival of Ant Botha from Derbyshire.
The home side will be fielding just two batsmen who are averaging over forty
in the championship this year - Tim Ambrose, who will skipper the Bears in
Maddy's absence, and Jim Troughton. Alex Loudon and Ian Westwood have had enough
chances to make runs, but have not been up to the mark. Michael Powell, with a
highest score this season of 37 not out will get another outing due to a lack of
batting reserves. Mind you, Powell has a decent first-class record against
Surrey - 575 runs at an average of 52.27.
With South Africa's Dale Steyn long since gone and Naqqash Tahir out with a
hip injury, Warwickshire's attack does not appear to have any real cutting edge.
Alfonso Thomas, Steyn's replacement as overseas player, is arguably the pick.
James Anyon, despite being the Bears' leading wicket-taker in the championship,
is averaging 43.85 with the ball. So, of those who are fit and available, the
only other bowler of note is Botha, who took 51 wickets at 28.70 runs apiece
prior to his move. Neil Carter and Chris Woakes look set to make up the numbers
on this occasion.
Mark Ramprakash, who needs one more hundred for 95 in all first-class cricket,
is set to make his 400th f-c appearance. Mark Butcher needs 1 catch for 250 f-c
career catches.
Harbhajan Singh has been cleared to play by India's management. Matt Nicholson,
Jimmy Ormond, Mark Ramprakash and Stewart Walters are also set to return to the
side after missing Tuesday night's Pro40 League encounter at Canterbury.
OPPONENT |
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
SURREY |
OPPONENT |
Hampshire |
30 Aug - 2 Sep 2007 |
Won By An Inns & 37 Runs |
Rose Bowl |
556 |
221 & 298 |
Sussex |
21-24 Aug 2007 |
Match Abandoned |
The Oval |
- |
- |
Durham |
13-16 Aug 2007 |
Match Drawn |
Riverside |
183 & 198-3 |
232 & 397-7d |
Kent |
8-9 Aug 2007 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
Canterbury |
215 &108-6 |
150 & 171 |
Worcestershire |
25-28 Jul 2007 |
Match Drawn |
Guildford |
369 |
217 & 307-5 |
With no worries as far as the weather forecast is concerned and Warwickshire in
turmoil, if Mark Butcher can win the toss and bat first there is no reason why
Surrey shouldn't make certain of their top flight status with a fourth
championship win of the season.
M Powell, I Westwood, J Troughton, A Loudon, T Ambrose (capt, wk), L Parker, A
Botha, N
Carter, A Thomas, J Anyon and C Woakes.
Neil Bainton and Richard Kettleborough.
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
WARWICKS |
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 School |
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 Innings &
123 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Bat |
483 |
227 & 133 |
23-27
Apr 1998 |
Won By An Innings &
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 Innings &
164 Runs |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
468 |
195 & 109 |
4-8
May 1995 |
Lost By 91 Runs |
Edgbaston |
Surrey |
Field |
288 & 301 |
470 & 210-4d |
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