LANCASHIRE V SURREY at Old Trafford (FCC1), 2-5 SEPTEMBER 2004

Generally speaking Old Trafford has not been a happy hunting ground for the Ovalites, but things are starting to pick up for them in the County Championship. If they avoid defeat, or even win, Surrey will be able to breath a huge sigh of relief. But following two consecutive limited-overs defeats at the hands of Lancashire since the last four-day clash between these two, psychologically that could be a very big "if".

What can I tell you about the opponents? Well, they haven't won a championship match since mid-May - when they overcame Worcestershire by the huge margin of 289 runs - and have been undeniably second best in their recent four-day outings. However, the gritty Stuart Law is back in the side once again plus Mal Loye appears to be over his Achilles injury. The trump card for the home side could well prove to be leading wicket-taker Gary Keedy (44 championship victims at 30.04 runs apiece), who will have the luxury of a turning wicket.

For Surrey, Mark Ramprakash needs 79 more runs for 5,000 f-c in chocolate trim. Mark Butcher's tally of first-class centuries stands at 29, so it's just one more for your thirtieth, Butch. Alistair Brown will have another crack at making his first hundred against the Red Rose, having scored at least one against all of the other sixteen counties. Tim Murtagh has now taken 47 f-c wickets for the Oval outfit, so requires three for his half-century. Finally, Jimmy Ormond needs one more five-wicket haul for the 20th of his first-class career.


As the last two managers of Newcastle United found out, making an example of a name player can be a risky strategy. However, it would seem that Steve Rixon wants to make it abundantly clear that he is in charge of Surrey now, not the players. Given Clarke's woeful form Rixon is unlikely to pay with his job, but there is a risk of him having egg on his face. That's because Mark Butcher, who will replace Clarke, looked completely out of touch in last night's floodlit game. Add to that the fact that Surrey have not won a championship match away from home this summer, and that Lancashire have the better spin attack on a strip which is guaranteed to turn square, and the wet weather currently forecast for days two and four might just suit the visitors. 


Apart from Butcher for Clarke, Surrey are expected to field the same XI that beat Lancashire by an innings at Whitgift and came close to completing a championship double over Kent at Canterbury.


M Chilton, I Sutcliffe, M Loye, S Law, C Hooper (capt), J Haynes (wk), G Chapple, D Cork, S Mahmood, P Martin and G Keedy.

11-13 Aug 2004 Won By An Innings & 55 Runs Whitgift School
26-29 Aug 2003 Lost By 8 Wickets Old Trafford
18-21 Apr 2003 Match Drawn The Oval
31 May - 3 Jun 2002 Match Drawn Old Trafford
8-11 May 2002 Won By 3 Wickets The Oval
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001 Match Drawn The Oval
25-28 Apr 2001 Abandoned Old Trafford
13-16 Sep 2000 Match Drawn Old Trafford
2-5 Aug 2000 Won By 272 Runs The Oval
15-18 Jun 1999 Won By 4 Wickets The Oval
18-21 Jun 1998 Lost By 6 Wickets Old Trafford
10-12 Sep 1997 Lost By An Innings & 55 Runs The Oval
7-9 Aug 1996 Won By 140 Runs Southport
29 Aug - 1 Sep 1995 Lost By 9 Wickets The Oval
5-9 May 1994 Won By 10 Wickets Old Trafford
3-7 Jun 1993 Lost By 96 Runs The Oval
4-6 Aug 1992 Lost By 86 Runs Lytham
17-20 Sep 1991 Lost By 1 Wicket Old Trafford
22-24 May 1991 Won By 8 Wickets The Oval
29-31 Aug 1990 Match Drawn Blackpool
3-7 May 1990 Match Drawn The Oval

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