ESSEX V SURREY at Colchester (LVCC2), 16-19 AUGUST 2006

In each of the last two seasons, Essex's championship fixture at Colchester has fallen foul of the weather. If the forecasters are to be believed, this contest could go the same way. If the rain holds off, however, this has the makings of a fascinating battle. The hosts can get runs anywhere in the order and after being held to draws by Gloucestershire and Northants they have just got back to winning ways by overcoming Somerset by 211 runs at Southend-on-Sea.

Third-placed Essex owed that victory to the bowling of Gough, Tudor and an up-and-coming seamer Mervyn Westfield. Since Andre Adams is still struggling with a toe injury, there is every likelihood that Surrey will come face to face with their former fast bowler Alex Tudor. With Darren Gough (25 championship wickets at 28.96 runs apiece) and Andy Bichel completing the new ball threat, the Brown Caps batsmen could be tested over the coming few days. 

With the bat, Varun Chopra returns to Essex's championship line-up for only the second time since the end of June after leading the England U-19's. Andy Flower (1,225 runs at an average of 72.05, including 5 hundreds) remains the jewel in his county's batting order, but skipper Ronnie Irani and the 21-year-old Ravi Bopara have also contributed a number of stand-out performances this term. Mark Pettini remains something of an enigma, though, and it would come as no surprise if he was asked to make way for Chopra instead of Grant Flower.

Jonathan Batty is 54 runs away from 1,000 first-class this term. Alistair Brown requires 23 runs to reach the same landmark. Mark Butcher needs 15 runs for 1,000 f-c for the season and 134 for 16,000 f-c career runs. Rikki Clarke needs 5 scalps for 100 f-c career wickets. Mark Ramprakash, who has 934 f-c career runs against Essex, needs 23 more for 2,000 championship runs in 2006. Ian Salisbury needs 2 wickets for 350 f-c for Surrey. For Essex, James Foster has effected 49 f-c dismissals this summer and Ronnie Irani is 44 runs away from making 1,000 f-c this season.

After dislocating a finger in Saturday's Twenty20 Cup semi-final, James Benning is definitely one change to the Surrey line-up that beat Worcestershire by an innings and 107 runs last week. Word is that Stewart Walters could make his championship debut in place of Benning, but, it seems more likely that Surrey will play the extra seamer, so get set to see Neil Saker given the nod. 

For once, I am prepared to listen to the weather forecasters, simply because the mornings have suddenly turned much fresher in the last few days. So, best prepare yourselves for a draw, especially as Essex bat all the way down to number eleven.

V Chopra, M Pettini, R Bopara, A Flower, R Irani (capt), J Foster (wk), J Middlebrook, T Phillips, A Bichel, A Tudor and D Gough.

Richard Kettleborough and Darrell Hair.

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