WORCESTERSHIRE V SURREY at Worcester (FCC1),
23-26 JUNE 2004 Start with the bad news. Surrey have not won a
championship game at Worcester since 1983 and since they have not met
Worcestershire over four days since 1999 only a few of tomorrow’s visitors have
memories of playing the New Road outfit, fond or otherwise.
Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe – who’s available to Steve Rixon and
Jonathan Batty once more – have decent championship career records against
Worcestershire; and Martin Bicknell, if he comes through a fitness test, can
point to 42 wickets at an average of 25.90. But over the years Batty, Butcher
and Hollioake have struggled against Worcestershire, while for Murtagh and
Ormond tomorrow will be the first time they have faced them over four days.
Last season Ben Smith’s men managed to gain promotion with Graeme Hick and
Vikram Solanki averaging less than thirty-five with the bat. This summer it
seems as though the form of both their quality performers could well be one of
the reasons why Worcestershire are likely stay in the top flight. Hick has so
far made 802 runs at an average of 72.90, while Solanki is going along at 53.
With Smith continuing to lead by example and Stephen Peters finally come of age
at long last, everything seems rosy down New Road way.
Now that Kabir Ali is fully fit, the major change as far as their attack
goes, is Andy Bichel coming in for Nantie Hayward. While Bichel has disappointed
with the ball, Matt Mason – an EC qualified Western Australian seamer – and
Gareth Batty have picked up where they ended last year with the ball. With
Solanki turning his arm over to good effect against Middlesex last week,
Worcestershire have more bowling options than most.
Looking at the weather forecast – Saturday is projected to be a complete washout
– it would take a result wicket or a woeful performance from one of these sides
for this match to end in anything other than a draw.
Not good – and that’s if one is trying to be optimistic. It is probably quicker
to list the fit players with any sort of form going into this match. Batty,
Brown, Hollioake, Murtagh, Newman, Ramprakash and Salisbury are the only ones
certain to start. Rikki Clarke has been called-up for England’s one-day squad
while Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe return, but with minor injuries. Martin
Bicknell (groin) and Jimmy Ormond (knees) need to successfully complete fitness
tests to prevent Miller and Sampson making their first appearances of the
season. James Benning (ankle) is days away from being completely fit. Neil Saker
(shoulder) is said to need another fortnight. Azhar Mahmood (back) is out for
three more weeks. Meanwhile, as time goes on, Saqlain Mushtaq (knee) and Alex
Tudor (back) are looking less and less likely to play for Surrey again this
summer.
S Peters, S Moore, G Hick, B Smith (capt), V Solanki, A Hall, G Batty, A Bichel,
Kabir Ali, S Rhodes (wk) and M Mason.
20-23 Apr 1999 |
Match Drawn |
Worcester |
3-6 Jun 1998 |
Won By 79 Runs |
The Oval |
18-19 Jun 1997 |
Match Drawn |
Worcester |
19-22 Sep 1996 |
Lost By 124 Runs |
The Oval |
1-5 Jun 1995 |
Lost By 134 Runs |
Worcester |
28 Apr - 1 May 1994 |
Won By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
12-16 Aug 1993 |
Lost By 65 Runs |
Worcester |
12-15 Jun 1992 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
16-19 Aug 1991 |
Lost By 3 Wickets |
Worcester |
16-19 Jun 1990 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
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