LANCASHIRE V SURREY at Old Trafford (SSCC1), 27-30 APRIL 2018

Bottom plays host to joint fifth. The story of the season so far is that Lancashire, who finished runners-up in last summer's County Championship, have made an awful start with two games and two losses. In contrast, Surrey, whom they edged into third place last September (courtesy of a convincing seven-wicket victory at Old Trafford in the final game) opened their 2018 account with a 139-run win over Hampshire.

With just three international appearances for Australia, Joe Mennie raised a few eyebrows when he was unveiled as Lancashire's overseas player; until, that is, he hit the ground running by bagging 12 championship wickets at an average of 12.41 in his first two outings for the Red Rose. A valiant 56 in last week's defeat to Essex underlines that he can also bat. Mennie has been received support, with the ball, in the shape of Tom Bailey (8 wickets at 14.75) and new signing Graham Onions (7 scalps at an average of 21.71).

However, Lancashire's top order batsmen have had an absolute shocker. Shiv Chanderpaul is averaging a paltry 5.00 and the much lauded 21-year-old opener Haseeb Hameed has a highest score, so far, of 19. Similarly, new arrival Keaton Jennings is averaging 16.00, while captain Liam Livingstone and Dane Vilas are both struggling to justify their places with batting averages of 19.25 and 25.50 respectively.

Surrey v Lancashire - First-Class Records Sheet


Rikki Clarke and Matt Dunn go into this contest with 9,938 first-class career runs and 99 f-c wickets respectively. Of the Lancashire contingent, Tom Bailey, like Dunn, also has 99 first-class poles with the ball. Meanwhile, Keaton Jennings will be making his 100th f-c appearance.


Surrey's 13-man squad sees the inclusion of Stuart Meaker and Ryan Patel, but Gareth Batty is missing; no doubt due to the back spasms that kept him out of last week's opening game 139-run victory over Hampshire.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Hampshire 20-23 Apr 2018 Won By 139 Runs The Oval 211 & 407-9d 147 & 332
Lancashire 25-28 Sep 2017 Lost By 7 Wickets Old Trafford 201-8d & 242 268 & 179-3
Somerset 19-22 Sep 2017 Won By 6 Wickets The Oval 433 & 146-4 269 & 306
Yorkshire 12-15 Sep 2017 Match Drawn The Oval 592 394 & 281-2
Hampshire 5-8 Sep 2017 Match Drawn Rose Bowl 200 & 280-4 290


What a difference a week makes! The forecast for Friday through to Monday is one of those projections that should be filed under: "Don't even think about seeing much cricket"; and not just at Old Trafford as they're saying the whole of England is set for a dousing.
With all eight of Lancashire's victories in the County Championship since July 2015 coming at home, Surrey would be happy with a draw were it not for the early season form of the Red Rose. Still, the weather looks the most likely winner.


K.Jennings, H.Hameed, A.Davies (wk), L.Livingstone (capt), S.Chanderpaul, D.Vilas, J.Clark, T.Bailey, J.Mennie, G.Onions and M.Parkinson.


Peter Hartley and Richard Kettleborough.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY LANCASHIRE
25-28 Sep 2017 Lost By 7 Wickets Old Trafford Lancashire Field 201-8d & 242 268 & 179-3
14-17 Apr 2017 Match Drawn The Oval Lancashire Bat 319 & 323-3d 470
23-26 Aug 2016 Won By 10 Wickets The Oval Lancashire Bat 480 & 39-0 287 & 230
22-24 May 2016 Lost By An Inns & 96 Runs Old Trafford Surrey Bat 191 & 107 394
14-17 Sep 2015 Match Drawn Old Trafford Surrey Bat 480 & 283-7d 272 & 195-7
31 May - 3 Jun 2015 Match Drawn The Oval Lancashire Field 448 & 186-0d 429
11-14 Sep 2012 Match Drawn Liverpool Lancashire Field 367 142-2d
11-14 Jul 2012 Match Drawn Guildford Surrey Field 430-5 485-7d
27-30 Aug 2008 Abandoned Blackpool No toss made - - -
16-19 Apr 2008 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 537-5d 241-6
19-22 Sep 2007 Won By 24 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 427-9d & 295-5d 234 & 464
2-4 May 2007 Lost By 7 Wickets Old Trafford Surrey Bat 284 & 120 315 & 90-3
2-4 Sep 2004 Won By 147 Runs Old Trafford Surrey Bat 369 & 185 278 & 129
11-13 Aug 2004 Won By An Inns & 55 Runs Whitgift School Lancashire Bat 525 210 & 260
26-29 Aug 2003 Lost By 8 Wickets Old Trafford Surrey Bat 337 & 138 341 & 135-2
18-21 Apr 2003 Match Drawn The Oval Lancashire Bat 280 & 379-6 599
31 May - 3 Jun 2002 Match Drawn Old Trafford Surrey Bat 382 & 246-6d 194 & 112-3
8-11 May 2002 Won By 3 Wickets The Oval Lancashire Bat 216 & 309-7 320 & 200
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 248 & 320-9d 276 & 170-2
25-28 Apr 2001 Abandoned Old Trafford No toss made - - -

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