GLAMORGAN V SURREY at Cardiff (LVCC2), 6-9 JUNE 2009

In line with Chris Adams's frank appraisal of Surrey's chances going into the season, the Brown Caps have rapidly sunk to the wrong end of Division Two in the LV County Championship, and therefore need to start putting a run together if they are to achieve parity with the teams chasing Kent. But such is the weather forecast for Cardiff for the next four days it seems unlikely that a positive outcome will be reached in this match.

With the long-term forecast for Northampton also looking less than encouraging, it would be a blow if Surrey see little action over the next week or so. Not least because of the excitement generated by yesterday's news that they have signed Ryan Harris as overseas player to replace New Zealand's Grant Elliott; who, despite missing out on the ICC World Twenty20, had a modest record in the Brown Caps' opening three championship fixtures.

Last year saw just six championship hundreds being struck by a Glamorgan batsman. But, this summer, there have already been five, with skipper Jamie Dalrymple making two - against his former employers Middlesex in the Welshmen's first outing of the season, at Lord's, and against Derbyshire at the SWALEC Stadium a week later. With overseas signing Mark Cosgrove, Michael Powell, Michael O'Shea, Ben Wright and wicketkeeper Mark Wallace also averaging over thirty-seven, Glamorgan's top order looks a good deal more resilient than it has done for a while.

Whilst nobody has stood out particularly, all of their attack have made an encouraging start to the championship campaign. James Harris has only featured in one game so far, but underlined once again that if he could overcome his fitness concerns he could help the Welshmen to become a more consistent outfit. The good news is Harris is down to play tomorrow, but Garnett Kruger may have to sit things out due to a knee problem.


Jade Dernbach goes into the contest with 48 first-class career wickets to his name. Andre Nel carries 395 f-c victims into this match. For the hosts James Harris's career tally is 49.


Mark Butcher is named in Surrey's 13-man squad, but is rated as 50:50 at best for his first start in twelve months. With the pitch thought likely to take spin, Stuart Meaker will probably be asked to yield to Andre Nel, Jade Dernbach and new signing Ryan Harris.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Middlesex 6-9 May 2009 Match Drawn The Oval 388 & 242 445 & 184-9
Derbyshire 22-25 Apr 2009 Lost By 5 Wickets Derby 131 & 360 274 & 220-5
Gloucestershire 15-18 Apr 2009 Match Drawn The Oval 160 & 64-2 333
Nottinghamshire 17-20 Sep 2008 Lost By An Inns & 143 Runs The Oval 267 & 122 532
Hampshire 9-12 Sep 2008 Lost By An Inns & 122 Runs The Oval 210 & 148 480-8d


Surrey have not lost a championship match in Wales since 1983, but, with the weather looking odds-on to be a factor, I have no choice but to predict a draw. It's a shame because since the beginning of 2005, the Brown Caps have only won three championship matches without Mark Butcher at the helm, but two of them have been against the Welshmen.


M Cosgrove, G Rees, B Wright, M Powell, J Dalrymple (capt), M Wallace (wk), J Harris, R Croft, D Harrison, D Cosker and A Shantry.


Barry Dudleston and Neil Bainton. See also The Dreaded Finger

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY GLAMORGAN
30 Aug - 1 Sep 2006 Won By 218 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 433 & 309-5d 269 & 255
20-23 Jun 2006 Match Drawn Swansea Surrey Bat 348 & 448-8d 410 & 168-2
11-14 May 2005 Won By 276 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 444 & 425-4d 345 & 248
27-30 Apr 2005 Won By 5 Wickets Cardiff Glamorgan Bat 248 & 178-5 250 & 173
12-15 Sep 2001 Match Drawn Cardiff Glamorgan Bat 701-9d 258 & 69-1
8-11 Aug 2001 Lost By 3 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 281 & 141 223 & 201-7
4-5 Aug 1999 Won By An Inns & 124 Runs The Oval Glamorgan Bat 309 101 & 84
1-3 Jul 1998 Won By 6 Wickets Swansea Glamorgan Bat 199 & 214-4 197 & 212
2-5 Sep 1997 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 204 & 487 438 & 107-3
12-16 Sep 1996 Match Drawn Cardiff Glamorgan Bat 471-9d & 205-7 364 & 442-9d
22-26 Jun 1995 Match Drawn The Oval Glamorgan Bat 397 & 302-9 450 & 329

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