SURREY V ESSEX at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 24-27 SEPTEMBER 2018

The newly-crowned champions play host to third. Leaving aside their ten-wicket defeat to Surrey at Chelmsford three weeks ago, Essex have finished the season in reasonable fettle. Along with Somerset and Notts, they definitely have the depth of talent needed to mount a title challenge next summer, especially if Simon Harmer and Jamie Porter stay fit. Last year, the pair bagged 147 championship wickets between them. Porter's 7-41 on the opening day against Worcester last week took their joint tally for this season to 100.

Essex will be bolstered for this match by the presence of Murali Vijay. Still only 24, Vijay has made 59 Test appearances for India, not to mention 12 Test hundreds. His signing, to see out the campaign, represents something of a coup, because the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) are notoriously reluctant to let their players anywhere near county cricket; even those who, like Vijay, rarely feature in the IPL. After two appearances for Essex, Vijay is averaging 80.33. Prior to that, only Ravi Bopara could be relied upon to deliver runs. Bopara has so far made 743 in the championship at an average of 46.43.

As has already been eluded to, Essex's bowling has relied heavily on the seam of Porter (52 championship wickets at 24.53) and the spin of Harmer (56 at 22.71). But Australia's Peter Siddle was a game changer during his seven-match stint as overseas player and 21-year-old fast bowler Sam Cook in definitely one for the future.

Shockingly, Rory Burns is only averaging 46.75 (374 runs) at the Oval this season, in the championship, compared with an average of 85.91 (945 runs) away from SE11. It really is time the skipper upped his game! And Simon Wilde take note: In terms of the 12 games it took Surrey to clinch the County Championship, 61 per cent of their runs and 72 per cent of wickets taken came courtesy of players who started out in the Surrey Academy.

Surrey v Essex - First-Class Records Sheet

Rikki Clarke and Ollie Pope have, in first-class for the season, 45 wickets and 958 runs respectively. In career terms, Essex's Simon Harmer (494 wickets), Dan Lawrence (2,867 runs) and Tom Westley (8,997 runs) have significant milestones in their sights.

Dean Elgar has now finished his second stint as Surrey's overseas player this season, while both Curran brothers are rested on the orders of the England management, ahead of the forthcoming one-day international series out in Sri Lanka. The Oval outfit's 13-man squad includes Jade Dernbach, Will Jacks, Stuart Meaker and Ryan Patel.

I have to admit, I'm surprised Surrey have only beaten Essex at the Oval just once since 1991 and that, subsequently, Essex have tasted victory on three occasions out of 7 in SE11. Although it wouldn't matter if Surrey drew or lost this one, they will be keen - judging by Alec Stewart's comments following the farcical end to the Somerset game at Taunton - to end the season on a high note. The weather forecast looks optimistic, which is a relief following two, almost solid days of rain in the South East. So, here goes... a Surrey win.

N.Browne, M.Vijay, T.Westley, D.Lawrence, R.Bopara, R.ten Doeschate (capt), A.Wheater (wk), S.Harmer, M.Coles, J.Porter and S.Cook.

To be announced.

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