LANCASHIRE V SURREY at Old Trafford (LVCC)
26-29 SEPTEMBER 2022

Third plays host to the new county champions, in what will be this season's only meeting between Surrey and Lancashire. Some rain is forecast for Manchester, but it's unlikely to spoil the visitors' parade. Barring an extraordinary turn of events (involving over-rate and disciplinary points penalties), the Oval outfit will get their hands on the championship trophy for the second time in four years.

Lancashire's top order has rarely failed to get their side off to a solid start in this summer's County Championship. Keaton Jennings has led the way with 1,034 runs at an average of 64.62, including four centuries. Luke Wells (53.05) is also set to go past the one thousand-run mark, while Josh Bohannon and Steven Croft have averaged 41.73 and 41.72 respectively. If the Red Rose outfit have had an Achilles heel, though, it's been a lack of runs lower down the order.

With a back injury limiting Saqib Mahmood to a solitary game and James Anderson appearing in just four due to international commitments, Lancashire resorted to signing New Zealand fast bowler Will Williams to operate alongside the ever-consistent Tom Bailey (49 championship wickets at an average of 23.04) and England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson (29 at 30.37).

Williams, who has a UK passport and is not, therefore, deemed an overseas player, has hit the ground running, taking 33 wickets in four-day cricket at just 16.60, making him Surrey's biggest threat as they seek to go through the entire championship-winning campaign unbeaten.

Although Rory Burns has struggled for runs in the last fortnight, he has enjoyed a fair degree of success against Lancashire in the County Championship. His first-class record against the Red Rose reads 808 runs at an average of 53.86, including one century and 6 fifties.

Surrey v Lancashire - First-Class Records Sheet

If he plays, wicketkeeper Josh Blake will be making his first-class debut. Also in the Surrey squad are Tom Curran (195 f-c career wickets) and Ryan Patel (1,966 f-c career runs). For Lancashire, Will Williams will start with 149 first-class wickets and Steven Croft 198 f-c catches.

Dan Worrall misses out due a minor shoulder injury, while Ben Foakes and Ollie Pope will be rested following an intense international and domestic summer. So, Surrey's 15-strong squad for Old Trafford includes Gus Atkinson, Josh Blake, Tom Curran, Ben Geddes, Dan Moriarty, Jamie Smith and Amar Virdi.

Surrey have not won a championship game at Old Trafford since 2004, and have only tasted victory there is one out of their last ten visits (with five being lost and four ending in draws). With rain forecast for day two and Lancashire likely to field a strong side, everything points to the 2022 champions ending the season with a draw. 

L.Wells, K.Jennings, J.Bohannon, S.Croft, D.Vilas (capt), G.Bell (wk), G.Balderson, T.Hartley, T.Bailey, W.Williams and M.Parkinson. 

Mike Burns and Martin Saggers.

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