HAMPSHIRE HAWKS V SURREY BROWN CAPS at the Rose Bowl (Pro 40 League 2), 23 AUGUST 2006

Since Hampshire and Surrey have made useful starts to their respective Pro40 campaigns, this is a must-win contest for both sides. Given what happened the last time they met, at Whitgift in this season's C&G Trophy, the visitors will be mightily relieved that Shane Warne is on the other side of the world, taking part in a bonding exercise with his Australia team-mates. That said, with today's announcement that Anil Kumble is returning home to India, due to a shoulder injury, there is no real advantage for either side in terms of overseas personnel.

The dangers as far as the Brown Caps are concerned are the Hawks' top order of Michael Carberry (450 runs at an average of 40.90 in List A cricket this summer), John Crawley, Sean Ervine and Dominic Thornely. Polish them off quickly and Surrey will really fancy their chances. At the Rose Bowl of course, the chances of seeing a clatter of wickets are greater than at most headquarters grounds. But then there is still Dimitri Mascarenhas, who has been a tough customer with bat and ball over the years. Though, having said that, I see his List A batting average against Surrey is a paltry 6.77.

Even without Warne, Hampshire have a highly effective and efficient-looking attack. Billy Taylor and James Bruce head things up with the new ball, but the key to tonight's contest is arguably Shaun Udal, who has picked up 14 wickets at an average of 26.64 in List A cricket this summer with his light off-spin; and who boasts an economy rate of just 4.19 runs per over.

Alistair Brown will be making his 350th appearance in List A cricket. Rikki Clarke, if fit, will be making his 100th; as will Hampshire's Sean Ervine.

Rikki Clarke and Mark Ramprakash return to the fray after missing the championship contest against Essex at Colchester, but Anil Kumble has drawn a line under his time at Surrey and James Benning is said to be two more weeks away from recovering from a broken finger. Curiously, the official club website chooses not to mention the status of Jimmy Ormond, who, last we heard, had an injured bicep and had been assigned his own personal fitness guru.

Wait for the toss. Whoever wins it will bat first and take the two points.

M Carberry, J Crawley, S Ervine, D Thornely, A Mascarenhas, G Lamb, C Benham, S Udal (capt), N Pothas (wk), J Bruce and B Taylor.

Trevor Jesty and Peter Willey. (3rd umpire - Richard Illingworth).

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