GLOUCESTERSHIRE V SURREY at Bristol (Royal London One-Day Cup), 17 APRIL 2019

Surrey have beaten Gloucestershire in three out of their four meetings since 50-over cricket returned to the county schedule in 2014. The one they didn’t win was arguably the most significant - the 2015 final, which the Bristolians edged by six runs after Gareth Batty's men collapsed from 191-5 to 214 all out.

22-year-old right-hander George Hankins, who was Gloucestershire's leading run-maker in last year's Royal London, averages an impressive 46.44 with the bat in List A cricket. The best anyone in the current Surrey squad can boast is 42.02 (Dean Elgar).

But any of the hosts' likely top five batters are not to be under-estimated, which means early wickets are essential if the Oval outfit are to win this one. In 2018, Dent (who averaged 45.00), Howell (41.25), Roderick (51.66) and Cockbain (69.33) all had their moments on the one-day stage.

Unfortunately for them, Gloucestershire's bowling never really fired in the Royal London last term. Only Australia international Dan Worrall conceded less than 5.40 runs per over and just one bowler - Chris Liddle, with 13 wickets at 25.92 apiece - bagged more than six victims.

Surrey v Gloucestershire - List A Records Sheet

Rory Burns is set to make his 50th List A appearance, while, for Liam Plunkett, it will be his 200th, assuming, of course, he plays. Gareth Batty (246) is also approaching 250 one-day career wickets.

Scott Borthwick (side), Jordan Clark (knee), Jade Dernbach (calf), Matt Dunn (illness) and Amar Virdi (back) are all ruled out through injury, while Sam Curran (IPL) and Surrey's overseas signing Dean Elgar have other commitments - all of which means that Gareth Batty and or Freddie van den Bergh will supply the spin, while the berth vacated by Ryan Patel (based on the line-up that drew with Essex in the County Championship curtain-raiser) could go to either Conor McKerr or Jamie Smith.

Surrey, who have won the toss prior to 23 of their last 32 Royal London One-Day Cup outings, tend to start their 50-over campaign with a defeat. Indeed, since 2014, the only time the Oval outfit got off the mark with a victory was in 2015. But even with some notable absentees, you would have to say that Surrey look the stronger side on paper. Verdict - Surrey to open their Royal London account with a win.

C.Dent (capt), G.Hankins, B.Howell, G.Roderick (wk), I.Cockbain, J.Taylor, R.Higgins, T.Smith, M.Taylor, D.Worrall and C.Liddle.

Ian Blackwell and Alex Wharf.

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