DURHAM V SURREY at the Riverside (SSCC1), 12-15 SEPTEMBER 2016

Sixth in Division One plays host to fourth. Surrey go into their final championship fixture of the season with three victories out of five in four-day cricket, while Durham have won just one out of their last nine. One cannot help feeling it's no coincidence the Riversiders' dip in form can be traced back to when cricket's equivalent to the transfer window opened, at the end of June; at which stage it was revealed that Durham's financial concerns might undermine their ability to hold on to key players.

The form of Scott Borthwick (whose signature Surrey are still hoping to secure) has tailed off alarmingly. In his last eight championship outings, the 26-year-old all-rounder has averaged just 22.20 with the bat and eye-watering 78.50 with his leg-spin. Mark Stoneman, who will start next season in a Surrey shirt, has faired a little better. The left-hander has scored 957 championship runs at an average of 41.60 and is second only to fellow opener Keaton Jennings (1,310 at 62.38), in terms of runs scored for the Chester-le-Street outfit.

In their last six matches, Durham's average first innings total is a mere 233, so it's essential Jennings and, in particular Stoneman (who has averaged 35.25 during that period) gets his current employers off to a solid start with the bat against his future employers. Will all those eyes on him be a distraction? We shall see. The return of Ben Stokes will help to shore things up, especially given Mark Richardson's recent dip in form. The 29-year-old batsman-keeper has made just one championship half-century since the start of May and averages 15.52 in 19 visits to the crease.

But for Graham Onions' persistence with the new ball - 43 championship wickets at 34.20 runs apiece this summer - backed up by Chris Rushworth, whose 32 at 31.15 looks paltry compared with his stellar year in 2015, Durham would not be heading into their last two four-dayers with realistic hopes of avoiding relegation. Two names in the Riversiders' line-up that might be new to a lot of people are Irish duo Barry McCarthy, a 23-year-old seamer, and Stuart Poynter, a 25-year-old wicketkeeper.


Kumar Sangakkara is set to make his 250th first-class appearance. Similarly, Stuart Meaker (248) has a 250th f-c wicket in his sights. The following seasonal milestones are approaching - Kumar Sangakkara (991) and Scott Borthwick (931) are both eyeing 1,000 first-class runs in 2016, while Graham Onions (44) has realistic hopes of notching up 50 f-c wickets.


Zafar Ansari (back) is named in a Surrey squad for the first time in a month. Jason Roy returns from international duty. Also travelling to Chester-le-Street - Arun Harinath and Ravi Rampaul.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
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
Hampshire 17-20 Jul 2016 Won By An Inns & 13 Runs Rose Bowl 637-7d 423 & 201


The weather forecast suggests only a minimal amount of time, if any at all, will be lost to bad light and drizzle. Surrey's record at Chester-le-Street, where they have not won a County Championship game since 1998, leaves quite a bit to be desired, but at no time since these two sides have been locking horns have they contested two draws in the same championship season. If something's got to give, you would have to say Durham appear to be there for the taking. That said they will be stronger than of late with Stokes and Wood cleared to play by the England management. Prediction - Surrey to finish the championship season strongly.


M.Stoneman, K.Jennings, S.Borthwick, J.Burnham, B.Stokes, P.Collingwood (capt), S.Poynter (wk), B.McCarthy, M.Wood, G.Onions and C.Rushworth.


To be confirmed.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY DURHAM
1-4 May 2016 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 457 & 244-6 607-7d
22-25 Aug 2013 Lost By An Inns & 144 Runs The Riverside Surrey Field 108 & 169 421
10-13 May 2013 Lost By 5 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 237 & 229 286 & 181-5
7-9 Aug 2012 Lost By An Inns & 38 Runs The Riverside Surrey Bat 129 & 143 310
26-29 Apr 2012 Abandoned The Oval No toss made - - -
16-19 Jul 2008 Lost By 10 Wickets Guildford Surrey Bat 220 & 323 410 & 134-0
23-26 Apr 2008 Match Drawn The Riverside Durham Bat 183 & 83-3 224 & 228-9d
13-16 Aug 2007 Match Drawn The Riverside Durham Bat 183 & 198-3 232 & 397-7d
8-10 Jul 2007 Won By 6 Wickets The Oval Durham Bat 243 & 154-4 191 & 204
6-9 Sep 2000 Won By An Inns & 68 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 453-4d 241 & 144
2-4 May 2000 Lost By 231 Runs The Riverside Surrey Field 104 & 85 234 & 186
30 Jun - 3 Jul 1999 Won By 226 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 335 & 247-6d 217 & 139
9-12 Sep 1998 Won By 121 Runs The Riverside Surrey Bat 323 & 142-1d 253-3d & 91
6-9 Aug 1997 Won By 9 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 350-9d & 64-1 136 & 274
20-24 Jun 1996 Won By 8 Wickets Stockton-on-Tees Durham Bat 440 & 142-2 377 & 203
11-15 May 1995 Won By An Inns & 159 Runs The Oval Durham Bat 652-9d 269 & 224
30 Jun - 4 Jul 1994 Won By 290 Runs Darlington Surrey Bat 236 & 538-6d 335 & 149
1-2 Jul 1993 Won By An Inns & 205 Runs The Oval Durham Field 473-9d 148 & 120
31 Jul - 3 Aug 1992 Won By 7 Wickets Durham Univ Surrey Field 431 & 116-3 189 & 357

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