SURREY V ESSEX at the Kia Oval (Royal London One-Day Cup), 2 MAY 2017

Essex's capabilities in the one-day arena are not in doubt. Since the return of the 50-over game to county cricket in 2014, they have reached three successive quarter-finals, only to progress no further. A 25-run opening game win on Sunday, at Hampshire's expense, underlined that they are still a force to be reckoned with, even in the absence of Jesse Ryder (who hit 131 against Surrey in 2016) and Graham Napier (who bagged figures of 7-32 when the Oval outfit were blown away for 134 at Chelmsford, on Sky Sports, four years ago).

The Eagles still have Ravi Bopara, though. The former England batsman averages 46.20 against Surrey in List A cricket and his unbeaten 115 at the Oval in 2013 exuded class and authority. But before Jade Dernbach and company can get a crack at the veteran of 120 one-day internationals, first they'll need to polish of an impressive top three that reads Browne, Cook and Westley. The latter is fresh from an eye-catching 93 against Hampshire. Ashar Zaidi's unbeaten 72 off 40 balls proved the turning point. A workmanlike bowling performance, led by overseas player New Zealand left-armer Neil Wagner (4-41) merely pressed home Essex's advantage.

Surrey v Essex - List A Records Sheet

Gareth Batty is set to make his 250th List A one-day appearance, while, for Essex's Ravi Bopara, it'll be his 300th. Bopara (8,946) is also approaching 9,000 List A career runs.

Surrey have named the same 13-man squad as for their opening two Royal London fixtures. The only question is will Ravi Rampaul retain the place that was previously Stuart Meaker's?

Eight of the last nine Royal London contests at the Oval have been won by the side batting first. Surrey have just two victories over Essex to show for their previous eight List A meetings with the Eagles, and their last two one-day clashes in SE11 have been won in resounding fashion by the visitors. This game could well set the tone for Surrey's 2017 50-over campaign. If Essex's top order get off to a good start, they could take some reeling in, especially with the likes of Wheater, ten Doeschate and Ashar Zaidi primed to step things up against the older ball.

N.Browne, A.Cook, T.Westley, V.Chopra, R.Bopara, A.Wheater (wk), R.ten Doeschate (capt), Ashar Zaidi, S.Harmer, N.Wagner and M.Quinn.

Nigel Llong and Martin Saggers.

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