ESSEX V SURREY at Colchester (LVCC2), 19-22 AUGUST 2009

The last two occasions when Surrey lost to Essex by an innings, both matches were played at Colchester. Castle Park's recent history would also suggest that batting will only get more difficult as the game goes on, so getting as many on the board, first up, must be the priority of whichever captain wins the toss tomorrow.

On paper, the two sides look evenly matched. Essex - who welcome back Ravi Bopara, but who will be without Graham Napier - are short of form with the bat, while Surrey are likely to line-up with just two front-line bowlers with over 90 first-class career wickets - Pedro Collins and Chris Schofield.

Looking at the hosts, both Varun Chopra and John Maunders have had a lean time with the bat this summer. Had it not been for Napier's absence with "a niggle" one of them would almost certainly have been facing the chop. Essex's most consistent performer at the moment is the former England wicketkeeper James Foster, who averages 40.62 and has reached fifty on five occasions in this season's County Championship.

With the ball, Essex's attack is built around the Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who has taken 32 wickets in just six championship appearances. David Masters - 35 victims at 22.42 runs apiece - is the workhorse who adds control. Indeed, nobody has bowled more maidens in the championship to date. But Chris Wright, Ryan ten Doeschate and off-spinner James Middlebrook will all need to up their game in this contest to cover for the loss of Napier.


Mark Ramprakash, who averages just 28.30 against Essex, is set to make his 425th first-class appearance; and if he bats twice he will play his 700th first-class innings in this match.


With Andre Nel out of action for at least another fortnight and no word on an overseas player joining Surrey for the remainder of the season, the Brown Caps attack will be lacking experience. Tom Smith, a 21-year-old left arm spinner has been brought in on loan from Sussex. If Smith plays, it looks as though one of Tim Linley and Stuart Meaker will have to miss out.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Derbyshire 6-9 Aug 2009 Match Drawn Whitgift Sch 362 & 320-4d 334 & 232-5
Leicestershire 31 Jul - 3 Aug 2009 Match Drawn Brit Oval 608-4d 593-5d & 23-0
Essex 15-18 Jul 2009 Match Drawn Guildford 352-8d 401 & 201-3
Kent 10-13 Jul 2009 Match Drawn Brit Oval 386 & 170-3 620-7d
Middlesex 30 Jun - 3 Jul 2009 Match Drawn Lord's 392 & 99-5 385 & 246-5d


If the hosts win the toss and bat first, I can only see one result. But should Stewart Walters call correctly, this could be a fascinating contest. Ramprakash, Bopara and Kaneria hold the key, so, I have to reluctantly admit that I can see Essex edging this one.


V Chopra, J Maunders, R Bopara, M Walker, M Pettini (capt), J Foster (wkt), R ten Doeschate, T Phillips, C Wright, D Masters and Danish Kaneria.


Michael Gough and Peter Hartley. See also The Dreaded Finger

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY ESSEX
15-18 Jul 2009 Match Drawn Guildford Essex Bat 352-8d 401 & 201-3
16-18 Aug 2006 Lost By An Inns & 2 Runs Colchester Surrey Bat 330 & 198 530
31 May - 3 Jun 2006 Won By 6 Wickets Whitgift School Essex Bat 433 & 178-4 365 & 244
17-19 Sep 2003 Lost By 8 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 318 & 194 464 & 49-2
21-24 May 2003 Won By 258 Runs Chelmsford Essex Field 376 & 381-7d 252 & 247
13-16 Jun 2001 Match Drawn Ilford Surrey Bat 198 & 306 296 & 153-2
25-28 May 2001 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 498 & 206-5d 300 & 312-4
14-17 May 1999 Won By 4 Wickets The Oval Essex Bat 195 & 272-6 262 & 204
11-15 Jun 1998 Match Drawn Chelmsford Essex Field 373 203 & 75-4
4-7 Jun 1997 Lost By 147 Runs The Oval Essex Bat 280 & 222 347 & 302
27 Jun - 1 Jul 1996 Match Drawn Southend Surrey Bat 476-8d & 167-2 425-9d
6-10 Jul 1995 Lost By 7 Wickets The Oval Essex Field 437 & 203 493 & 151-3
11-15 Aug 1994 Lost By An Inns & 87 Runs Colchester Essex Bat 88 & 203 378
13-17 May 1993 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Field 330 & 178-4 418 & 153
18-20 Aug 1992 Match Drawn Colchester Essex Field 292 & 10-0 229

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