HAMPSHIRE V SURREY at the Rose Bowl (Royal London One-Day Cup), 21 MAY 2018

Since the re-introduction of 50-over county cricket, Hampshire have only once reached the knockout phase - in 2015, when they bowed out in the quarter-finals to Gloucestershire, who, as Surrey all fans know, went on to win the title that year.

In the first round of matches this term Hampshire scraped a two-wicket victory over Sussex, while Surrey folded to Somerset (who promptly took Glamorgan to the cleaners). The much forgotten Reece Topley, who is solely a white-ball player these days (between injuries), was arguably the star of Hampshire's bowling display at Hove, with figures of 2-47 in the absence of the talismanic Kyle Abbott, who is sidelined by an ankle injury. That said Brad Taylor, with his off-spin, had an economy rate of just 4.40. Chasing a target of 251, it fell to Gareth Berg, who had earlier taken 3-51, to all but see Hampshire to victory with a 54-ball 65; able support being provided by keeper-batsman Lewis McManus, who hit 41 including three sixes.

Judging by last year's Royal London, James Vince 463 runs at an average of 77.16 and Rilee Rossouw, who averaged 65.33, are Hampshire's dangers with the bat, while Mason Crane (14 wickets at 27.42 runs apiece) is also not to be under-estimated. Liam Dawson's hand injury would appear to be a real plus for Surrey. In 2017, the former England all-rounder conceded a mere 4.45 runs per over with his slow left-arm.

The only Surrey man on show tomorrow with more than 110 List A runs against Hampshire will be Rikki Clarke (238 at an average of 26.44), while Gareth Batty (17 wickets at 23.05) will be the only bowler with more than 10 one-day wickets against the Rose Bowl outfit.

Surrey v Hampshire - List A Records Sheet

Hampshire's Jimmy Adams will start with 3,907 List A career runs. But, amazingly, the 37-year-old has only scored ever scored two one-day hundreds.

Despite the margin of defeat, against Somerset, last Friday, Surrey are not expected to make any changes. Nevertheless, Ryan Patel and Freddie van den Bergh are both named in the visitors' 13-man squad for the Rose Bowl.

Surrey's last three one-day visits to Southampton have all ended in defeat and last Friday's showing, against Somerset, hardly fills one with optimism. Hampshire are missing Abbott, Dawson and Northeast, but the absence of Roy, Curran and Morkel, for Surrey, is a far greater drawback.

H.Amla, R.Rossouw, J.Vince (capt), J.Weatherley, J.Adams, B.Taylor, L.McManus (wk), G.Berg, M.Crane, R.Topley and F.Edwards.

Jeff Evans and Michael Gough. (Third umpire - Tim Robinson.).

GO TO:




BACK TO: