HAMPSHIRE V SURREY at the Rose Bowl (SSCC1), 9-12 JUNE 2018

Seventh in Division One plays host to third. Surrey find themselves just nine points behind the leaders Notts (who have played five games to the South Londoner's four). Hampshire, however, are currently in the relegation zone. That said, 10 more points and they'd be fourth - all of which underlines that the three rounds in June could well prove to be pivotal.

With Hashim Amla's stint as the Rose Bowl outfit's overseas having ended, Sam Northeast recovering from a fractured finger and Tom Alsop (hamstring) also sidelined, much could rest on the shoulders of James Vince in terms of the run-making. The Hampshire captain has scored 428 at an average of 53.50 in this season's County Championship. Moreover, he averages 46.14 against Surrey.

It could, therefore, all come down to the hosts' attack; and with Dale Steyn making his third Championship debut (having previously played Champo cricket for Essex and Warwickshire) there certainly won't be any shortage of pace on display. The pick of Hampshire's bowling, so far, has been Fidel Edwards (22 champo wickets at 27.13 runs apiece) and you can never under-estimate Kyle Abbott, even though he hasn't quite matched his form of 2017.

The prospect of opening the batting against two of the fastest bowlers in the world in Steyn and Edwards is just the sort of challenge Rory Burns relishes. The Surrey skipper also averages 84.11 against Hampshire in four-day cricket. Ben Foakes record against them isn't too shabby either - 543 first-class runs at 49.36.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet

If he plays, Matt Dunn will start with 99 first-class career wickets, while Mark Stoneman has 9,884 runs. Of the Hampshire contingent, Gareth Berg (247) is closing in on a 250th wicket.

At one stage, Sam Curran was down to play for England against Scotland this weekend. But his presence in Surrey's 14-man squad for Southampton suggests their latest Test debutant has been cleared to face Hampshire. The upcoming ODIs mean Tom Curran and Jason Roy aren't available, so, with no Virat Kohli, Arun Harinath's name is included for the first time this season. There's no Gareth Batty (Amar Virdi now seems to be the preferred red ball spin merchant), but Matt Dunn is fit again after picking up a rib injury batting in the corresponding fixture to this one, at the Oval, six weeks ago. Ryan Patel and Mathew Pillans could also feature here, but Conor McKerr (side strain) and Stuart Meaker (rib) are ruled out.

Surrey have never lost a County Championship game at the Rose Bowl, or, as it's officially now known, the Ageas. Their four-day record there reads P7 W4 D3. In fact, you have to go back to 1994 to find an occasion when the Oval outfit were last defeated on Hampshire soil in the Championship. The weather forecast for all four days is that there's a 20% chance of rain, which could make it difficult to force a positive result. But, quite rightly, the visitors will start as the favourites. Negate the threat posed by Dale Steyn, which Surrey are capable of, and they should win.

J.Weatherley, J.Adams, J.Vince (capt), R.Rossouw, S.Ervine, L.Dawson, L.McManus (wk), G.Berg, K.Abbott, D.Steyn and F.Edwards.

Neil Mallender and Billy Taylor.

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