Gloucestershire go into this contest having won two out of three in the championship since their four-wicket defeat at the hands of Surrey a month ago. The Bristolians currently lie third in Division Two, whereas the Oval outfit are bogged down in sixth, following less than convincing draws away to Essex and at home to promotion hopefuls Worcestershire.

Gloucestershire's strongest suit has been their batting, led by Hamish Marshall (366 championship runs at an average of 45.75), Will Tavare (420 at 42.00) and Will Gidman's contributions lower down the order. With on-loan Geraint Jones hitting form immediately he arrived from Kent and Benny Howell chipping in on occasions, the west countrymen are batting as deep as anyone in Div Two right now.

The bowling, however, is totally reliant on Will Gidman, who, thus far, has picked up 31 championship scalps at 13.70 runs apiece. Ian Saxleby has been forced to retire, while fellow seamers James Fuller and Graeme McCarter are currently on Gloucestershire's ever-growing injury list. That just leaves Matt Taylor with more than ten wickets in four-day cricket this term, while the spin option is Tom Smith, who is averaging 54.50 runs per victim.

Rory Burns (1,972) is just 28 shy of 2,000 first-class runs, while Gloucestershire's Will Gidman is set to make his 50th f-c appearance.

Hashim Amla returns to the fold, at the expense of Arun Harinath, while seamer 21-year-old seamer George Edwards has also been added to the side that scraped a draw with Worcestershire thanks, in no small part, to the weather and Zafar Ansari, who made 77 not out and 62.

Other than Surrey's last championship visit to Bristol, which they ended up winning after the captains got together on the final morning, Nevil Road has been a frustrating and less than happy hunting ground for the South Londoners of late. But with the weather set fair and Gloucestershire lacking two key batsmen in Chris Dent and Will Tavare, I've a feeling Surrey are set to complete a season's double over the Bristolians. That said, I don't see the visitors having it all their own way - after all they are yet to secure three or more first innings batting points this season.

M Klinger (capt), D Housego, A Gidman, H Marshall, I Cockbain, G Jones (wk), W Gidman, B Howell, T Smith, M Taylor and L Norwell.

Tim Robinson and Billy Taylor.

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