Much has been made of Gloucestershire's poor record, in recent years, at Cheltenham. But the hosts will go into this match knowing they have a psychological advantage over Surrey whom they beat at the Kia Oval five weeks ago and whom they trounced when they last met in the T20. 

Before last week Gloucestershire hadn't tasted success at Cheltenham, in the County Championship, since the end of July 2001, when they beat a Sussex side captained by Chris Adams (who made 12 and 123) by ten wickets. The Bristolians record at the College Ground since then reads: Played 18, Won 1, Drawn 6 and Lost 11, with ten of the losses coming in the last twelve.

For the hosts, who will be keen to stay in touch with the two teams above them in the table, Chris Taylor has led the way with the bat this summer, making 796 championship runs at an average of 44.22. Will and Alex Gidman have also chipped in on a number of occasions. But overseas player Kane Williamson has blown hot and cold at number three. The 20-year-old Kiwi is averaging a disappointing 33.33, while Iain Cockbain, Chris Dent and Jack Taylor have continued to find their feet.

Jon Lewis (39 championship wickets at 21.51) has been the pick of Gloucestershire's attack, ably supported by Ian Saxelby, who took ten wickets when these sides met last over four days, and Will Gidman. But David Payne's burgeoning career remains a work in progress.

For Surrey, Stuart Meaker is set to make his 25th first-class appearance, while Mark Ramprakash is on the verge of his 450th. Rory Hamilton-Brown needs nine more for 2,000 first-class career runs. Gloucestershire's Chris Dent is 42 runs away from 1,000 in f-c cricket, while Alex Gidman has 99 first-class career wickets.

Zafar Ansari and Yasir Arafat join the eleven that started against Middlesex, making up a 13-man party.

The last time Gloucestershire completed a championship double over Surrey was in 1885, so, given that Cheltenham tends to be a result wicket, I'm going for a Surrey win. Let's hope the record books don't need to be re-written!

C Dent, H Marshall, K Williamson, C Taylor, A Gidman (capt), I Cockbain, W Gidman, R Coughtrie (wk), D Payne, J Lewis and I Saxelby.

Nigel Llong and George Sharp.

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