SURREY V GLAMORGAN at the Brit Oval (LVCC2), 23-26 SEPTEMBER 2009

Thank heavens - the final week of the season. It's not long now before the Surrey faithful can draw a line underneath what has been another dismal summer results-wise. Seven wins in all competitions - the same as in 2008. Will the Brown Caps end up with eight wins or even nine? This game certainly looks win-able, but the key will be bowling out Glamorgan for less than 300 in their first dig - something Surrey have not managed in the championship since the middle of June. Indeed, the average first innings total conceded by the Brown Caps in their last nine championship outings is a massive 490.

Glamorgan come into this clash having failed to drive home their advantage against Gloucestershire and, before them, Essex, at the SWALEC Stadium. If one of Mark Cosgrove, Gareth Rees, Michael Powell or Jim Allenby had gone on to make a hundred in the Welshmen's first dig against Gloucestershire, they would now be very handily placed in the Division Two table. But, realistically, the Dragons need Essex and Northants to make a right hash of things this week if they are to sneak into second place with a high-scoring victory over the Brown Caps.

With the ball, the Welshmen are in good form at the moment. James Harris holds the key with the new ball, while the spinners Dean Cosker and Robert Croft (53 wickets at 27.96 runs apiece in this season's championship) have both enjoyed success this summer on wearing pitches.

Michael Brown needs 34 more runs for 1,000 for the season in the championship, while Glamorgan's Michael Powell needs 79.

Surrey have discarded James Anyon and Alex Tudor, both of whom nursed sorry-looking bowling figures against Northants a fortnight ago, in favour of Chris Jordan (who is now over his bad back) and Richard Logan (who, if he plays, will be making his first-class debut for county number four). Stuart Meaker misses out again owing to a finger injury.  

Although Glamorgan's recent record at the Oval isn't much to write home about, if the pitch is a good as the one served up for Northants a fortnight ago, I honestly can't see Surrey restricting the Welshmen to less than 400 in their first innings, so, a draw would appear to be the most likely outcome. If that's how things turn out, when was the last time all of Surrey's championship matches at the Oval ended in draws? Trick question - it's never happened before. I thought for a minute it was 1854, but Surrey didn't play any first-class fixtures that year as far as I am able to tell.

G Rees, W Bragg, M Cosgrove, M Powell, J Dalrymple (capt), J Allenby, M Wallace (wk), J Harris, R Croft, D Cosker and A Shantry.

Mike Harris and John Holder. See also The Dreaded Finger

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