SOMERSET V SURREY at Taunton (SSCC1), 7-10 AUGUST 2017

One from bottom of Division One plays host to two from bottom. In short, Surrey and Somerset have faltered in their first eight Championship games, registering just one win apiece. In fairness, the Oval outfit have only been beaten the once - by leaders Essex at, where else, but Guildford. As for the Cidermen, who have lost four, their solitary victory came last time out, against Yorkshire at Scarborough, and by an impressive margin.

Nevertheless, a lack of runs is an issue that continues to vex Somerset. With Dean Elgar on international duty and Adam Hose now a Warwickshire player, only Tim Rouse (70 runs from two innings) goes into this contest currently averaging over thirty in Division One. Tom Abell, who takes up the captaincy once more has just 171 runs at 14.25 and the usually ever-present Peter Trego's poor showing with bat and ball has seen him dropped.

Despite the absence of Lewis Gregory - 21 championship wickets at 23.04 runs apiece - with a niggle, the hosts' bowling, particularly their spin bowling, appears to be in decent fettle. 20-year-old off-spinner Dom Bess has bagged 17 victims at 19.47 in four-day cricket with slow left-armer Jack Leach taking 24 at an average of 30.12 thus far. Furthermore, the likely new-ball duo of Tim Groenewald and Craig Overton are averaging 20.33 and 25.04 respectively.

Surrey v Somerset - First-Class Records Sheet

Tom Curran is set to make his 50th first-class appearance. Mark Stoneman's f-c run count for the season stands on 966. Turning to the likely Somerset contingent, James Hildreth has 14,983 first-class career runs, Jim Allenby 298 wickets and Tim Groenewald 348 wickets.

No team news was available at the time of writing, on the Surrey CCC website. However, now that Kumar Sangakkara is participating in the Caribbean Premier League, Aaron Finch is expected to be the visitors' overseas representative.

I know I've mentioned it in previous Somerset v Surrey previews, but it's worth saying again... Surrey have only tasted victory at Taunton in the County Championship on one occasion since 1962! Given their recent form in the NatWest T20, which suggests something of a malaise, and the weather forecast for the South West (60% chance of rain on each of the first three days), the best it seems the visitors can hope for is a draw. Prediction - honours even.

M.Trescothick, E.Byrom, T.Rouse, J.Hildreth, T.Abell (capt), S.Davies (wk), J.Allenby, C.Overton, D.Bess, J.Leach and T.Groenewald.

To be announced.

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