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In recent memory Surrey’s record against Essex has not been much to write home about – just one win in ten matches since 1991. Even that was a keenly fought contest in which, had it not been for a brilliant hundred from Alistair Brown on the final day, it too could very easily have ended in defeat for the Oval outfit. But if Middlesex were able to make nearly five hundred against Essex at Chelmsford at the start of this season, just think what Surrey’s world-class batting line-up are capable of should the rain clouds stay away for the next few days. With one of Essex’s more reliable bowlers, Jon Dakin (12 wickets at 22.66 so far in the championship), needing to pass a late fitness test on an injured heel to play, the portents are not good for Ronnie Irani’s men. Irani has been under-utilised, leading to suggestions that he only bowls when it suits him. Left-arm import Scott Brant and spinner James Middlebrook have bowled manfully, though and Middlebrook – who was discarded by Yorkshire two years ago – deserves special praise. One suspects, however, that the 26-year-old will be seeing rather a lot of the Surrey batters in this contest. Taken as a whole Essex’s exploits with the bat this summer have been no less disappointing. Ronnie Irani and openers Will Jefferson (240 runs at an average of 40.00) and Darren Robinson have been their most consistent performers. But Aftab Habib, who is set to return after missing the game at Old Trafford with a pulled hamstring, and Andy Flower, in particular, have not located the middle of their bats yet this season. In Flower’s case, though, one suspects that a big score lies just around the corner.
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