SOMERSET V SURREY at Taunton (LVCC1), 28-31 MAY 2016

Sixth plays bottom in what, even at this formative stage of the season, looks like a "must win" game for the visitors. However, Surrey have only tasted victory at Taunton on one occasion since 1962.

A fortnight ago, Somerset came close to turning over defending champions Yorkshire. The Yorkies were six down in their second dig and 110 runs shy of making the Cidermen bat again when time ran out. A week earlier, it was Yorkshire who were winning by an innings, against Surrey - for whom another innings defeat (to Lancashire) in the last round of matches can scarcely have lifted spirits.

Somerset's top order is as good as any around. James Hildreth - their leading championship run-maker both last summer and this - is fresh from making 166 against Yorkshire, which he followed up with eye-catching innings of 68 and 85 not out at Lord's. Marcus Trescothick and new skipper Chris Rogers are currently averaging 45.77 and 46.22 respectively, which helps disguise Tom Abell's indifferent start to the campaign. But when you've got Peter Trego (60.25) and Jamie Overton (52.00) to come, why worry?

With two Overtons for the price of one, Somerset's future looks rosy with the ball. Jamie has been the pick of the 22-year-old twins this season. But with 110 first-class wickets at an average of 27.72 already, Craig is the one the pundits are talking about in terms of being an England regular one day. Throw Tim Groenewald (18 championship scalps at 23.72 runs apiece) and Lewis Gregory into the mix and the Cidermen look stronger than their league position suggests.

Surrey Cricket Research Group's stats sheet for the game

Gareth Batty will start the game with 594 first-class career wickets, while Somerset's old stager (not to mention scourge of Surrey) Chris Rogers (24,876) is approaching 25,000 f-c runs. Lewis Gregory needs 25 more for 1,000 first-class career runs and Craig Overton just eighteen. The pair average 18.39 and 24.55 respectively over their careers.

The return of Zafar Ansari is welcome news for Surrey, who, last week, were twice bowled out for less than 200 for the first time since September 2013. Just as encouraging is the inclusion of Rory Burns, who suffered a mild concussion during the defeat at Old Trafford and couldn't bat in the second dig. But, alas, there is a new injury to report. A wrist injury means Jason Roy will not be travelling to Taunton, while there has also been no improvement on the hamstring front for Matt Dunn.

Taunton is developing a reputation for being a ground where teams that lose the toss and find themselves in the field are at a distinct disadvantage. In the last three matches, the side batting first has averaged 498 and the team batting second 316. Surrey have won more than their fair share of tosses recently, but with days one and four looking wet (according to the forecast), it may not be the end of the world whichever way up the coin lands. Prediction - draw.

M.Trescothick, T.Abell, C.Rogers (capt), J.Hildreth, P.Trego, L.Gregory, R.Davies (wk), J.Overton, C.Overton, T.Groenewald and R.van der Merwe.

Jeff Evans and Billy Taylor. This will be the 24th occasion Jeff Evans has umpired a championship contest involving Surrey. Combined leg-before-o-meter: 17.9% of dismissals.

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