NORTHAMPTONSHIRE V SURREY at Northampton (FCC1), 29 JULY - 1 AUGUST 2004

A 'must win' game for both these sides, of whom only could have envisaged being in the relegation zone come the end of July when the season first got underway. Not surprisingly, Northamptonshire are still searching for their first championship win of the summer. Mind you, Surrey have only gone one better. In a strange sort of way, though, the hosts will have the bragging rights - at least they managed to beat Ireland in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy.

Other than Usman Afzaal (772 championship runs at an average of 64.33), David Sales and Gerard Brophy, none of Northants' batsmen go into this encounter in any real four-day form. Therefore they will be hoping to see more from Australia's Martin Love than they had from South African, Martin van Jaarsveld.

At least the bowlers have come to the party now and again. Johann Louw, Ben Phillips and Graeme Swann have all taken over twenty wickets in the County Championship this campaign. The pick has been Swann (23 victims at 32.86 runs apiece), who could have done with more assistance from fellow spinner Jason Brown. However, both are likely to be a handful on home territory.

The game could see one or two milestones being reached. Mark Ramprakash and Jonathan Batty are one hundred away from achieving special landmarks - their 70th and 10th first-class centuries respectively. Ramprakash and Newman are both within sight of 1,000 f-c runs for the season. Azhar Mahmood needs 101 more runs for 1,000 first-class in chocolate trim. Rikki Clarke has now taken 46 f-c wickets in his career, while Batty also needs two more victims for 300 first-class career dismissals.

It has been nine years since Surrey have lost to Northants in the championship and on paper they would appear to stand a chance of recording their second championship success of the season. But so much depends on the pitch at Northampton and how the spinners use it. Sadly, for my money, the home side will possess the fitter and arguably more proficient clutch of twirlers.

After making 103 in the second innings against Warwickshire, Alistair Brown (hamstring) becomes the latest name on the casualty list. Ian Salisbury (knee) returns, though, slightly earlier than expected - maybe the prospect of bowling an a turning wicket gave him an added incentive to be fit in time. Rikki Clarke looks set to continue as opener, but Mark Butcher (neck) and Alex Tudor (back) are not going to be risked. Meanwhile, there is still no news on when Brett Lee will become an Ovalite.

T Roberts, R White, M Love, U Afzaal, D Sales (capt), G Swann, G Brophy (wk), B Phillips, J Louw, C Greenidge and J Brown.

28 Apr - 1 May 2004	Match Drawn	The Oval
18-20 Jul 2001	Won By An Innings & 55 Runs	Guildford
9-12 May 2001	Match Drawn	Northampton
28 Apr - 1 May 1999	Won By 8 Wickets	Northampton
17-21 Apr 1998	Match Drawn	The Oval
23-26 Jul 1997	Match Drawn	Northampton
3-6 Sep 1996	Won By 225 Runs	The Oval
18-22 May 1995	Lost By 9 Runs	Northampton
19-23 May 1994	Lost By 3 Wickets	The Oval
22-26 Jul 1993	Lost By 304 Runs	Northampton
30 Jun - 2 Jul 1992	Won By 5 Wickets	The Oval
7-11 May 1992	Match Drawn	Northampton
23-26 Aug 1991	Lost By 138 Runs	Northampton
3-6 Jul 1990	Won By 147 Runs	The Oval

GO TO:




BACK TO: