MIDDLESEX CRUSADERS V SURREY BROWN CAPS at Lord's (FPT), 4 MAY 2008

What can I add to what I said two weeks ago, just before Surrey opened their 2008 Friends Provident campaign with a defeat to Middlesex, their opponents again in game two of the Trophy? Perhaps it is worth reflecting on how Alistair Brown appears to have become a four-day specialist. The 38-year-old's absence from the showdown at the Brit Oval was as much a mistake as electing to bowl first (knowing that the closing overs of the match would almost certainly be played in near darkness). But, the 58-run loss against the Crusaders is only one game out of the eight. Provided Surrey put their FPT campaign back on track with two victories in two days, there is still a good chance of progressing to the knockout phase.

Last Sunday, when the Brown Caps were making their way back from a week in Durham, Middlesex notched up another win in this competition. It might have been in nail-biting circumstances, with Tim Murtagh taking three wickets in the final over, but it put the Crusaders top of the South East Division; ahead of the Essex Eagles on net run rate.

Middlesex's strength is that they bat all of the way down. That said, if Strauss, Shah and Godleman were disposed of cheaply it would be interesting to see what they are like under pressure; but that has not happened yet. With the ball, the Crusaders now have the services of Vernon Philander (who took 2-31 bowling first change against Kent last Sunday) to call upon. Philander is a 22-year-old all-rounder who has already impressed in the five one-day internationals he has played for South Africa.

Click here for the Surrey v Middlesex List A Records sheet (as at the start of the 2008 season).

Alistair Brown has 19 one-day centuries to his name, while Mark Ramprakash has notched up fourteen.

James Benning looks set to open the batting again, with Alistair Brown likely to make way. The Brown Caps' bowling attack will read: Collins, Dernbach, Jordan, Nicholson and Schofield. However, James Ormond is on standby. 

Mark Ramprakash is in the runs again and will be determined to make up for the duck he recorded in the opening FPT game, against his former employers. However, Middlesex are on a high, so it won't be easy to knock them off their perch, but I have a sneaky feeling the Brown Caps will prevail.

E Joyce, E Smith (capt), A Strauss, O Shah, B Godleman, V Philander, B Scott (wk), T Murtagh, S Udal, D Evans and S Finn.

Jeff Evans and Jeremy Lloyds.

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