Last week, Northamptonshire's change of skipper brought about an astonishing reversal in their fortunes - beating Division Two table-toppers Sussex with a day to spare when, just eight days earlier, the Wantage Road outfit had been turned over by an innings by Glamorgan. But given that Northants had managed championship wins over Gloucestershire and Middlesex it came as something of shock when Nicky Boje stood down at the conclusion of the game at Cardiff, just five matches into the new championship campaign.

Other than Stephen Peters, who thus far has struck 612 championship runs at an average of 55.63, all of Northamptonshire's batsmen have struggled for form this summer, particularly Mal Loye who is averaging a paltry 12.12 - that, after making 983 runs at 54.61 for Lancashire last term. 21-year-old Alex Wakely, Loye's replacement at number three in the order, made a vital second innings half century against Sussex and, with Boje's help, all but saw his side home. However, the fact of the matter is that Wakely still only has one three-figure score to show for 43 visits to the crease in first-class cricket.

David Lucas, who missed last week's contest, is currently Northamptonshire's leading wicket-taker in the championship with 17 victims at 27.94 runs apiece, including figures of 5-64 in the curtain-raiser against Leicestershire at Grace Road. After making a promising start to the season, 25-year-old seamer Jack Brooks has been overtaken by Lee Daggett and David Willey and is therefore likely to make way for new overseas signing Chaminda Vaas.

Steven Davies has 4,916 first-class career runs while Chris Tremlett has 295 f-c career wickets to his name. For Northants, David Lucas has 193 f-c wickets, while Alex Wakely and Rob White go into this contest with 975 and 4,949 f-c runs respectively.

Younis Khan has not been named in Surrey's 13-man squad for this contest, which can only mean one thing - his working visa has not come through yet. Gareth Batty is named, despite pulling a hamstring in last Friday's 40League victory over Glamorgan. Whereas Batty is probably 50:50, Mark Ramprakash, who missed today's game at Old Trafford with a groin strain, is likely to feature along with Tom Jewell, who, if he plays, will be making his championship debut. Let's hope it goes better than his first one-day appearance for Surrey - in last summer's Pro40 League drubbing at Northampton.

In recent years, Surrey have had a fairly decent record against Northants, but since these two sides met at Wantage Road last summer the Oval outfit have failed to record a single championship victory. On paper they look much the stronger, but how many times have we thought that? It is hard to see Northants taking twenty wickets and with last week's game at Northampton finishing in three days, there is every prospect of a positive outcome. I can't help feeling that Surrey stand an excellent chance - a first championship win of the season for the Brown Caps.

S Peters, N O'Brien (wk), A Wakely, D Sales, R White, A Hall (capt), N Boje, D Willey, D Lucas, L Daggett and C Vaas.

Steve Garratt and Nigel Llong.

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