MIDDLESEX V SURREY at Lord's (FCC1), 21-24 APRIL 2004

Recent history shows a curious sequence of three Middlesex victories, followed by three wins for Surrey then three draws.  With rain threatening the first two days, perhaps the weather forecast provides the best indication of how this particular contest will end up.

Last summer's draw specialists have addressed their bowling deficiencies in the close season by signing the Proteus duo Hayward and Klusener for 2004, but the latter is missing for this game due to his involvement in South Africa's equivalent of the Twenty20 Cup.  In the absence of skipper Andrew Strauss, the runs will surely come, if not from the blade of Sven Koenig, then the bat of one of the MIddlesex's youthful middle-order of Ben Hutton, Owais Shah and Ed Joyce.

In their opener at Edgbaston, Paul Weekes followed up his 118 with first innings figures of five for 76, while Chad Keegan and Nantie Hayward shared the rest of the spoils.  However, Melvyn Betts, who conceded 74 off eight overs against his old county, Warwickshire, did little to impress his new employers.  It is no surprise, therefore, that Paul Hutchison has been drafted into the North Londoners' squad for tomorrow.

The visitors will be buoyed by the fact that Ramprakash, Brown and Hollioake have all made big scores at Lord's.  However, only Saqlain Mushtaq goes into this contest with any form against Surrey's traditional enemy.  In terms of approaching milestones Jimmy Ormond is 4 victims away from capturing his 100th wicket for Surrey in the championship.

After what I wrote last Thursday I had better temper my optimism.  Put it this way, if both teams play to their potential Surrey should win - weather-permitting - but there were enough holes in their performance in the opener against Sussex to suggest that the South Londoners are at a crossroad this season.  Middlesex, meanwhile, are a team that are quietly establishing themselves in the top flight - but the absence of Strauss and Klusener has to be a drawback.  

Martin Bicknell is nursing a hamstring strain, but Saqlain Mushtaq, who twisted his knee during a net session last week, is fit again.  With the Surrey management disinclined to risk Alex Tudor, Nadeem Shahid makes up the visitors' twelve.

S Koenig, B Hutton, O Shah (capt), E Joyce, P Weekes, D Nash (wk), J Dalrymple, C Keegan, S Cook, N Hayward and P Hutchison.

23-26 Jul 2003	Match Drawn	Guildford
27-30 Jun 2003	Match Drawn	Lord's
9-12 Sep 1999	Match Drawn	Lord's
15-17 Jul 1998	Won By 280 Runs	Guildford
15-17 Aug 1997	Won By An Innings & 125 Runs	Lord's
4-8 Jul 1996	Won By 7 Wickets	The Oval
29 Jun - 3 Jul 1995	Lost By An Innings & 76 Runs	Lord's
25-29 Aug 1994	Lost By 2 Wickets	The Oval
24-28 Jun 1993	Lost By 4 Wickets	Lord's
12-15 Sep 1992	Match Drawn	The Oval
23-26 May 1992	Match Drawn	Lord's
10-13 Sep 1991	Lost By 60 Runs	Lord's
20-22 Aug 1991	Match Drawn	The Oval
12-15 Sep 1990	Match Drawn	The Oval
23-25 May 1990	Match Drawn	Lord's

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