SURREY V ESSEX at the Kia Oval (RCC)
23-26 MAY 2025

Second plays host to eighth. With Hampshire overcoming second-placed Warwickshire and Durham beating leaders Notts by 7 wickets – with just 10 balls to spare – Surrey’s innings and 28-run win against Yorkshire last week lifted the side going for a fourth County Championship title in a row up to a close second. However, few would have envisaged Essex losing to lowly Worcestershire, let alone by a margin of 225 runs.

In short, everything fell into place nicely for the South Londoners in the last round of matches. But, as Jason Roy was quick to point out, it’s no coincidence given the attention to detail paid to every aspect of the Oval outfit’s performance and preparation.

“It’s an incredibly happy dressing room,” said Roy. “To come back from what we did last week [at Edgbaston], where we put in a load of effort on a flat wicket for no reward, and put in the performance we did is incredible. The boys, to a man, came together and nailed it.

“Also, we’ve got an amazing backroom staff here. With the facilities the club provides for them, there’s no stone left unturned. Between each game all the rehab and conditioning work is absolutely nailed down.

“I’ve been incredibly impressed and it’s no surprise when we’re putting in performances like this. We’ve got some confidence from this week and we’re going into the Essex game in a nice position."

Indeed, with seamer Sam Cook on England duty and batter Jordan Cox still coming back from a side strain, Essex will need the likes of Dean Elgar and Tom Westley (at the top of the order) and Kasun Rajitha and Noah Thain (with the ball) to hit some form.

Other than Cox (384 Champo runs at an average of 76.80 this term), only Paul Walter (56.50) and Matt Critchley (40.55) have come up with the goods thus far with the bat. Elgar is averaging a mere 15.16, Westley 20.40 and keeper-batter Michael Pepper 29.50.

Everything could, therefore, hinge on the degree to which Essex's attack make inroads over the next four days. Jamie Porter (23 wickets at 22.91 runs apiece) and off-spinner Simon Harmer (21 at 28.57) will be crucial, backed up by Shane Snater (18 at 30.44) and Matt Critchley (13 at 29.15).

Surrey v Essex - First-Class Records Sheet

Matt Fisher is on the verge of a 50th first-class outing; and for Dan Worrall what would be his 100th. Jason Roy (4,878) is 122 shy of a 5,000th f-c run, while Dom Sibley (8,921) needs 79 more for 9,000 first-class career runs. Essex's Dean Elgar (17,911) will start with the figure of 18,000 in his sights. Finally, if he plays, Mackenzie Jones, a tall all-rounder, who has represented Scotland at both U17 and U19 level, will be making his professional debut.

Sam Curran and Jamie Overton (back from the IPL) plus Dan Worrall (who has missed a couple of games due to a heel injury) are named in the South Londoners 14-strong posse, as is James Taylor. However, Dan Lawrence, who suffered a back spasm when making 31 in last week's victory over Yorkshire misses out.

Let's start with Alistair Brown's. In the 'Oval And Out' YouTube podcast that followed on the heels of last week's innings success over the Yorkies, the former Surrey great said: "At home, Surrey are a very difficult side to beat. Four titles in a row is definitely on the cards. I think they have the potential to emulate the great side of the 1950s and be seven in seven." Given that Dan Lawrence has performed a vital role with his off-spin, it’s fairly safe to say his absence (with a bad back) will see the strip for this clash favour seam ...and just look at the abundance of quality seamers in the squad the Oval outfit will be putting out. If the weather plays ball (the forecasters are saying expect rain on days two, three and four), everything points to the hosts dominating.

D.Elgar, P.Walter, C.Allison, T.Westley (capt), M.Critchley, M.Pepper (wk), N.Thain, S.Harmer, S.Snater, K.Rajitha and J.Porter.

Rob Bailey and Michael Burns.

GO TO:




BACK TO: