ESSEX EAGLES V SURREY BROWN CAPS at Chelmsford (C&G Trophy), 25 JUNE 2006

Surrey's last three limited-overs visits to Chelmsford have seen two abandonments and a narrow defeat to show for a five-over slog. In one respect, therefore, tomorrow's game promises more, but the fact that neither side can top the South Conference, and thus qualify for the final, means it will be a major surprise if this is not treated as a dead game. With England facing Ecuador in the World Cup tomorrow afternoon the crowd-size is also likely to suffer.

Assuming they all play, Andy Flower, Ronnie Irani (379 List A runs at an average of 63.16) and Ravi Bopara, who are all averaging over fifty in one-day cricket this term, could take this game away from Surrey with their batting alone. Mark Pettini is also in good form, having struck 80 at the top of the order against Kent last weekend.

With the ball, the Eagles now have Andy Bichel, Darren Gough and Alex Tudor available. But their key man in one-day cricket is currently James Middlebrook, who has collected 13 wickets at 20.53 runs apiece and an economy rate of 4.47 with his off-spin. Essex's other twirler Tim Phillips, has been miserly, though certainly not a partnership-breaker.  


Ian Salisbury will be making his 250th List A appearance if he plays. His wicket tally, at 247, is very slightly less than one per match.


To follow (sorry).

OPPONENT DATE COMP RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Gloucestershire 18 Jun 2006 C&G Lost By 2 Runs Bristol 337 (49.5) 339-8 (50)
MIddlesex 11 Jun 2006 C&G Lost By 108 Runs Southgate 149 (33.4) 257-9 (50)
Hampshire 4 Jun 2006 C&G Lost By 8 Wickets Whitgift School 166 (40.2) 167-2 (26)
Glamorgan 29 May 2006 C&G Won By 68 Runs The Oval 200 (45) 132 (31.3)
Ireland 14 May 2006 C&G No Result Stormont 100-2 (15) -


Dead games can go either way, but if you're determined to press me for a decision I would like to think that the Brown Caps can make up for last Sunday's narrow defeat at the hands of Gloucestershire.


M Pettini, R Irani (capt), D Gough, R Bopara, A Flower, R ten Doeschate, J Foster (wk), J Middlebrook, T Phillips, A Bichel and J Ahmed.


Rob Bailey and John Steele.

DATE COMP RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY ESSEX
5 Jul 2005 T20 Lost By 1 Run Chelmsford Surrey Field 70-2 (5) 71-3 (5)
25 Aug 2004 NL No Result Chelmsford Essex Bat - 135-5 (25.1)
7 Jul 2004 T20 No Result Chelmsford No toss made - - -
23 May 2004 NL Won By 31 Runs The Oval Essex Field 268 (43.3) 237 (42.5)
14 Jun 2003 T20 Won By 44 Runs Imber Court Essex Field 182-9 (20) 138 (18.5)
8 Jun 2003 NL Won By 3 Wickets The Oval Surrey Field 221-7 (42.5) 220 (44.2)
27 Apr 2003 NL Won By 15 Runs Chelmsford Essex Field 268-8 (45) 253 (43)
8 Sep 2002 NL Won By 2 Runs Chelmsford Essex Field 162 (43.3) 160 (38.2)
28 Jul 2002 NL Won By 73 Runs Guildford Essex Field 310-7 (45) 237 (40.1)
2 May 2002 B&H Lost By 4 Wickets Chelmsford Essex Field 223 (49.2) 224-6 (45.2)
5 May 2001 B&H Won By 6 Wickets The Oval Essex Bat 223-4 (47) 222-8 (50)
23 Aug 2000 NL Lost By 23 Runs Colchester Essex Bat 183 (43.3) 206-8 (45)
29 May 2000 NL No Result The Oval No toss made - - -
15 Apr 2000 B&H No Result Chelmsford No toss made - - -
14 Jun 1998 NL Lost By 26 Runs Chelmsford Surrey Field 69-7 (11) 136-3 (27)
8 Jun 1997 NL Lost By 6 Wickets The Oval Essex Field 176 (34.3) 185-4 (33.5)
27 May 1997 B&H Won By 6 Wickets Chelmsford Surrey Field 215-4 (42.3) 214 (45.5)
13 Aug 1996 NWT Lost By 4 Wickets The Oval Essex Field 275-5 (60) 278-6 (56.4)
30 Jun 1996 NL Lost By 27 Runs Southend Essex Bat 278-8 (40) 251-7 (40)

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