SURREY V DURHAM at the Kia Oval (RCC)
29 JUNE - 2 JULY 2025

Second in Division One plays host to sixth. Since losing their opening couple of matches, Durham have won two (against Worcestershire and leaders Notts), drawn three and found themselves on the wrong end of affairs against Somerset.

Ben Raine (29 championship wickets at an average of 27.58) has been the pick of Durham's attack this season, but they don't come more consistent than Matty Potts (18 at 34.72). 20-year-old seamer Mitchell Killeen is showing all the promise his father Neil displayed three decades ago (en route to bagging over 600 victims in all competitions). However, with Colin Ackermann and George Drissell averaging 39.60 and 52.80 respectively with their off-breaks, a red-ball spin threat seems to be lacking, sadly.

The batters, led by Graham Clark (552 runs at 61.33, including two centuries) - brother of Jordan Clark, of course - have largely done their job. Skipper Alex Lees is averaging 39.69, Drissell 39.60, Ackermann 39.25, Emilio Gay 37.90 and keeper Ollie Robinson 37.27.

What's been unexpected, perhaps, is that opener Ben McKinney hasn't really kicked on. Tipped for international honours, he's averaging 31.81 in the championship having averaged 27.14 last term. Still, all-rounder James Minto looks all set to be the next quality player to roll off Durham's production line.

Dan Worrall (8 wickets at 9.12 runs apiece), Sam Curran (15.00) and Matt Fisher (20.25) have all enjoyed success with the ball when they've played against Durham in the County Championship. Also, in his solitary championship innings against them (at the Oval last September) Ryan Patel made 134.

Surrey v Durham - First-Class Records Sheet

Will Jacks and Dan Lawrence will start with 45 and 47 first-class career wickets respectively. Turning to the visitors... Colin Ackermann (11,875) is approaching 12,000 f-c runs.

With Ben Foakes on paternity leave still, keeper Josh Blake is named for the first time this season in the Oval outfit's 13-strong squad, which is without an overseas representative (Nathan Smith, fresh from taking 1-27 and 6-38 at Worcester, is being rested). Ollie Sykes and James Taylor feature, though.

For Surrey to win one Kookaburra match - last week at Worcester - is handy, but to win two on the trot might be asking too much given the reputation for dull cricket the ball has acquired; unless, of course, one of these sides fail to put a price on their wickets when they come to bat. The weather's unlikely to be a factor - the forecasters are saying temperatures could reach 34 degrees on days two and three. My forecast to this contest? A draw.

A.Lees (capt), E.Gay, W.Rhodes, C.Ackermann, O.Robinson (wk), G.Clark, G.Drissell, J.Neesham, B.Raine, M.Potts and S.Connors.

Mike Burns and Graham Lloyd.

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