HAMPSHIRE V SURREY at the Rose Bowl (SSCC1), 5-8 SEPTEMBER 2017

Third in Division One plays host to fourth. In fact, this round of matches sees 1st take on 2nd, 3rd play 4th, 5th play 6th and 7th meet 8th. Surrey may have only suffered the one defeat in this summer's County Championship, but, equally, their only victory was way back in Week One. Meanwhile, Hampshire, with three wins, look in little danger of either challenging for the title or of facing the drop.

Kyle Abbott has been worth his weight in gold to the Rose Bowl outfit. Not only has the South African taken 42 championship wickets at 19.47 apiece, but only five Hampshire players have scored more runs this term. Jimmy Adams (who may have to don the wicketkeeping gloves in the absence of Lewis McManus) is leading the way with 534 runs at an average of 48.54. The Hants skipper George Bailey is averaging 37.72 with the willow while Sean Ervine and James Vince have identical records in this year's Champo - 514 runs at 36.71. Gareth Berg (29 wickets at 25.20), who has given Abbott sterling support with the ball has also chipped in with 401 runs and England fringe player Liam Dawson (who is averaging 26.81 with the bat and 30.66 with the ball) completes the list of potential match-winning all-rounders.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Gareth Batty is set to make his 250th first-class appearance. Scott Borthwick has 199 f-c wickets. Rikki Clarke (398) is closing in on 400 first-class wickets.

Tom Curran (back) returns to the fold. Jade Dernbach and Conor McKerr are also named in Surrey's 14-man squad, which is without an official overseas player due to the calf injury Aaron Finch picked up in the T20 quarter-final.

They're saying there could be some weather around on days one and four, which should spell stalemate. Hampshire have nothing to lose, though. Even a defeat for the hosts would still see them looking pretty much safe from the drop. But, historically, Surrey have never lost a County Championship game at the Rose Bowl. More to the point, three of their six visits have produced innings victories, including last year's, which kick-started their successful bid to remain in Division One. All things considered, a draw seems the most likely outcome.

J.Adams (wk), T.Alsop, S.Ervine, J.Vince, G.Bailey (capt), L.Dawson, I.Holland, G.Berg, K.Abbott, B.Wheal and F.Edwards.

Mike Burns and David Millns.

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