NORTHAMPTONSHIRE V SURREY at Northampton (LVCC2), 31 AUGUST - 3 SEPTEMBER 2011

Given that Middlesex - who currently occupy the second in Division Two - are still to play bottom-placed Leicestershire home and away, it's pragmatic to surmise that if Surrey are to snatch a promotion spot, it needs to be at Northamptonshire's expense. But a number of factors count against the Oval outfit, not least that they have not won back-to-back championship matches for over a year.

This year, Chaminda Vaas (61 championship wickets at 21.47 runs apiece) has been in outstanding form with the ball for Northants, as has Jack Brooks. But with Brooks sidelined with a back problem, David Lucas is likely to share the new-ball duties with Vaas, while Lee Daggett and Andrew Hall act as first change. Even off-spinner James Middlebrook has had a decent campaign - of his fellow twirlers only Glamorgan's Dean Cosker and Leicestershire's Claude Henderson have taken more wickets in Division Two.

Hall and Middlebrook have also been prominent with the bat, putting things on an even keel when Northamptonshire's top order has faltered. But it comes as little surprise that Stephen Peters (864 championship runs at an average of 43.20) is on course to be their leading run-maker once again. With Rob Newton and Alex Wakely breaking through, 2011 has been a good season for Northants even if, by some quirk of fate, the Wantage Road outfit were to miss out on promotion.


Surrey's Tim Linley goes into this contest with 97 first-class wickets, while Rory Hamilton-Brown is 57 away from one thousand runs in this summer's County Championship. If he plays, George Edwards will be making his championship debut.


George Edwards has been named in Surrey's 13-man squad, in place of Matthew Dunn who is suffering with shin splints. For Edwards to come in, though, one of Chris Jordan and Stuart Meaker would need to make way.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Leicestershire 23-25 Aug 2011 Won By 10 Wickets Leicester 343 & 111-0 167 & 286
Kent 10-12 Aug 2011 Lost By 265 Runs Canterbury 127 & 104 266 & 230
Gloucestershire 27-30 Jul 2011 Won By 2 Wickets Cheltenham 423 & 186-8 286 & 320
Middlesex 20-23 Jul 2011 Lost By 6 Wickets Guildford 117 & 379 308 & 190-4
Kent 10-13 Jul 2011 Won By 21 Runs The Oval 387 & 184 250 & 300


Northamptonshire have not been beaten at home in this year's County Championship. That said, Surrey's record against Northants in recent years is as good as the Oval outfit have enjoyed in four-day cricket. This one really could go either way, but I've got a good feeling about this one - go on, Surrey win.


S Peters, N O'Brien (wk), R Newton, K Coetzer, A Wakely, D Sales, A Hall (capt), J Middlebrook, C Vaas, D Lucas and L Daggett.


Martin Bodenham and George Sharp.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY NORTHANTS
8-11 Apr 2011 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 322 & 342-6d 376 & 211-5
20-23 Jul 2010 Won By An Inns & 175 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 620-7d 240 & 205
24-27 May 2010 Won By 7 Wickets Northampton Surrey Field 386 & 241-3 397 & 229
9-12 Sep 2009 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 376 & 282-9d 492
11-14 Jun 2009 Won By An Inns & 95 Runs Northampton Surrey Field 530 209 & 226
2-5 Aug 2006 Won By 7 Wickets The Oval Northants Bat 669-5d & 65-3 347 & 386
14-17 Jul 2006 Won By 229 Runs Northampton Surrey Bat 328 & 424-6d 300 & 223
29 Jul - 1 Aug 2004 Lost By 6 Wickets Northampton Surrey Bat 402 & 147 332 & 220-4
28 Apr - 1 May 2004 Match Drawn The Oval Northants Field 403-7d 64-2d
18-20 Jul 2001 Won By An Inns & 55 Runs Guildford Northants Bat 368 120 & 193
9-12 May 2001 Match Drawn Northampton Northants Bat 607 476 & 304-1
28 Apr - 1 May 1999 Won By 8 Wickets Northampton Northants Bat 286 & 301-2 248 & 338
17-21 Apr 1998 Match Drawn The Oval Northants Field 351-5d 44-2d & 46-1
23-26 Jul 1997 Match Drawn Northampton Surrey Bat 581-7d 401 & 241-2d
3-6 Sep 1996 Won By 225 Runs The Oval Northants Field 395 & 298-9d 235 & 233

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