NOTTINGHAMSHIRE V SURREY at Trent Bridge (SSCC1), 22-25 JULY 2018

Second plays host to top in Division One. Surrey have five wins under their belt already, to Nottinghamshire's four - which have come against Lancashire away, Worcestershire on the road, Hampshire at Trent Bridge (at the start of May) and more recently away to Essex. Perhaps crucial to the visitors' chances of clinching a first title since 2002 is they have a game in hand over their nearest challengers.

This season, the Robin Hood county have tended to prosper in conditions favouring seam. Stuart Broad is averaging 17.00 runs per wicket in the County Championship, while Luke Fletcher (30 victims at 17.86), Jake Ball (27 at 18.33) and Harry Gurney (31 at 22.48) have all filled their boots. At the other end of the spectrum, Samit Patel's off-spin has produced just 8 wickets at an average of 55.62.

The batting is also a bit of a worry, especially as overseas player Dan Christian is only available for T20 and new signing Chris Nash has a shoulder problem. Top of Nottinghamshire's averages are Tom Moores (479 champo runs at 39.91), Jake Libby (519 at 37.07) and Riki Wessels (444 at 37.00) - all of whom seem to be hitting a 40-run average glass ceiling. The key to this contest could well be the extent to which Samit Patel, skipper Steven Mullaney and, possibly, Durham University batsman Will Fraine contribute with the willow.

Mark Stoneman will have the target of 1,000 first-class runs versus Notts in his sight. Stoneman currently has 933 at an average of 38.87. Of Surrey's bowlers, Stuart Meaker (22 wickets at 20.36) and Jade Dernbach (13 at 25.07) have the best f-c record against the Trent Bridge outfit.

Surrey v Nottinghamshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Scott Borthwick looks set to make his 150th first-class appearance; not only that, he's also two away from registering 200 catches. Rory Burns (6,964), Ollie Pope (982) and Mark Stoneman (9,970) are closing in on 7,000, 1,000 and 10,000 f-c runs respectively. Nottinghamshire's Luke Fletcher and Harry Gurney will both be notching up 100 first-class appearances. Gurney also goes into this clash with 299 f-c wickets.

Gareth Batty, Sam Curran, Aaron Finch and Ben Foakes are added to the ten who remain from the Surrey side that turned over Yorkshire at Scarborough nearly four weeks ago (Theunis de Bruyn having returned to SA following his two-game stint as overseas). Alas, Tom Curran (side strain) and Jason Roy (finger) are not considered fit enough to be included in the trip to Trent Bridge, otherwise even more changes might have been in the offing.

This will only be the seventh championship meeting in ten seasons between these two sides; and only the seventh at Trent Bridge in the last 20; where, during that time, the Oval outfit have registered just a solitary victory - by an innings and 6 runs - fifteen years ago. The heatwave of 2018 means the weather is unlikely to be a factor, so, even though it's Nottingham, the side with the best and deepest batting should prevail. Either way, Surrey have the edge in what promises to be a fascinating contest.

J.Libby, S.Mullaney (capt), S Patel, B.Root, R.Wessels, W.Fraine, T.Moores (wk), S.Broad, L.Fletcher, J.Ball and H.Gurney.

David Millns and Russell Warren.

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