KENT V SURREY at Tunbridge Wells (FCC1), 25-28 MAY 2005

Since 1997, Surrey have only lost to Kent on one occasion in the championship. Mind you, even now the hop county are probably wondering how they failed to beat the Ovalites at Canterbury in 2002 (I thought I should get that one in!).

With five batsmen averaging over 42 and four bowlers averaging under 28, Kent should provide their geographical neighbours with a stern test over the next four days. Along with Hampshire, the hop county are yet to be beaten in this season's competition. Indeed, contrary to my preview of Kent's season the Canterbury outfit have been the only side to hold its own against the current Division One leaders.

The dangers for Surrey appear to be Matt Walker (345 championship runs at an average of 49.28) and Amjad Khan (18 wickets at 24.00 runs apiece). Over the years, however, Darren Stevens has had a woeful record against the Oval outfit - 193 runs at 17.94 from six f-c appearances - as have Simon Cook (five wickets at 60.00 in three matches) and Min Patel who has taken just 25 wickets in 15 championship encounters at an average of 56.92 runs apiece.

Those with first-class milestones coming up include Jonathan Batty (9 hundreds), Martin Bicknell (98 catches), Rikki Clarke (48 catches, also 1,988 f-c runs for Surrey), Richard Clinton (972 runs) and Nayan Doshi (49 wickets).


With no threat expected from the weather a positive result is on the cards, so I can't sit on the fence on this one. Without England's Graham Thorpe and the sidelined Jimmy Ormond the visitors look set to struggle and the odds setters agree, for Kent are 4/7 favourites. Sorry people, but as much as I hate to say it... a win for the Cyclopses.


Mohammad Akram returns to from injury, but Jimmy Ormond (right knee) and Ian Salisbury (intercostal muscle) have not quite made the progress hoped for. Azhar Mahmood (shins) and Mark Butcher (left wrist) are much further back; and in Azhar's case the rumours are that Surrey are looking at bringing in a long-term overseas replacement, especially with the Twenty20 Cup approaching.


D Fulton (capt), R Key, M van Jaarsveld, M Walker, D Stevens, J Kemp, A Hall, N O'Brien (wk), S Cook, M Patel, and A Khan.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY KENT
18-21 Aug 2004 Match Drawn Canterbury Kent Bat 402-8d 226 & 234-8
25-28 May 2004 Won By 7 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 479 & 174-3 239 & 413
4-6 Sep 2003 Lost By An Innings & 155 Runs Canterbury Kent Bat 125 & 255 535
2-5 Jul 2003 Won By 186 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 401 & 251-3d 352-5d & 114
19-22 Jul 2002 Won By 2 Wickets Canterbury Kent Bat 225 & 410-8 374 & 260
12-14 Jun 2002 Won By 9 Wickets The Oval Surrey Field 361 & 61-1 153 & 268
16-19 Aug 2001 Match Drawn Canterbury Surrey Bat 258 & 193-8 301
20-23 Apr 2001 Match Drawn The Oval Kent Bat 473 456-8d
23-26 May 2000 Match Drawn Canterbury Surrey Bat 348-8 -
11-14 May 2000 Match Drawn The Oval Kent Field 417 & 17-0d 115-2d & 255-8
2-5 Jun 1999 Won By An Innings & 28 Runs Tunbridge Wells Kent Field 271 71 & 172
29-31 May 1998 Won By An Innings & 30 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 342 86 & 226
18-20 Sep 1997 Lost By 5 Wickets Canterbury Kent Field 124 & 371 220 & 276-5
9-13 May 1996 Match Drawn The Oval Kent Bat 360 & 160-6 225 & 361
3-7 Aug 1995 Match Drawn Canterbury Surrey Bat 559 & 252-7d 410 & 380-8
15-19 Sep 1994 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Field 70-1 445
5-9 Aug 1993 Match Drawn Canterbury Surrey Bat 464 & 305-3d 467
14-16 Jul 1992 Lost By 72 Runs Guildford Kent Field 301-8d & 76 117 & 332
2-5 Aug 1991 Match Drawn Canterbury Kent Bat 178 & 385 358 & 103-7
9-13 May 1991 Lost By An Innings & 3 Runs The Oval Kent Bat 420 195 & 222
7-10 Sep 1990 Match Drawn Canterbury Kent Bat 648 425 & 378-9
21-24 Jul 1990 Match Drawn Guildford Surrey Field 344-7d & 17-0 372 & 329

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