SURREY LIONS V GLAMORGAN DRAGONS at Whitgift (NCL1), 17 AUGUST 2003

Tomorrow's visitors to Whitgift, the Glamorgan Dragons, currently lie third in Division One of the National Cricket League. But having lost five times already this summer, it is hard to see how the Welshmen can overhaul the two-point lead held by the Gloucestershire Gladiators and the Surrey Lions, both of whom have the advantage of games in hand.

One way would be to beat Surrey home and away and hope that Gloucestershire trip up between now and the beginning of September, which is not impossible. The Gladiators have got a couple of tricky away fixtures against the Worcestershire Royals and the Warwickshire Bears to come, not to mention the distraction of a Lord's final.

If the Lions could slay the Dragons on Sunday it would therefore go a long way towards the Oval outfit securing what would only be their second National League title in the competition's 34-year history.

It will just be the second time these two sides have met in the last three years, during which time the Welshmen have been a force to be reckoned with in limited-overs cricket.

The last occasion Surrey and Glamorgan went head-to-head records fell like horses attempting to run the Grand National. It was in the fourth round of last season's C&G Trophy. Alistair Brown struck a one-day world record 268 as Surrey amassed 438 for five in their 50 overs, then Glamorgan hit back with 429 to end up losing by just nine runs.

The Dragons will be out to avenge that defeat and, who knows, with a shorter boundary than usual it might just turn out to be another run-fest.

Looking down their line-up, key to their Welshmen's chances will be Robert Croft and Jimmy Maher getting the innings off to an explosive start. The Dragons' middle-order is dominated by Matthew Maynard and David Hemp, who currently heads their batting averages. Sunday's visitors have lost three out of their last four NCL games - two of which Hemp missed through injury.

Behind the stumps they have got Mark Wallace, who many believe is a future England player and who has already taken 20 dismissals in this summer's National League.

But Glamorgan's strength arguably lies in their bowling attack, which, whilst not being the most economical, is more than capable of bowling sides out before the 45-over mark has been reached. Twenty-eight-year-old seamer Alex Wharf has led the line this season with 18 wickets at 23.38 runs apiece in the NCL, but Surrey would be wise to not underestimate the spin duo of Dean Cosker and Robert Croft, who have taken 29 wickets between them so far this season.


Oowh, now you're asking! Perhaps this sounds critical, but Surrey can start a bit cold. In four-day cricket this isn't a problem, because there is time to turn things around if necessary. However, the one-day game demands being on the ball straight away. The Lions were really fired up against Gloucestershire the other night. If the Surrey players can wear their hearts on their sleeves again tomorrow Glamorgan will really have their work cut out.


Surrey are expected to line up as they did against the Gloucestershire Gladiators a week and a half ago. In other words, Jimmy Ormond is fit; as is Alex Tudor should a recall to one-day action be in the minds of Messrs Hollioake and Medlycott after the fast bowler's hip injury.


J Maher, R Croft (capt), M Powell, M Maynard, D Hemp, A Dale, M Wallace (wk), M Kasprowicz, A Wharf, A Davies and D Cosker.

18 Jun 2002 C&G Won By 9 Runs The Oval
16 Jul 2000 NL Won By 67 Runs The Oval
27-28 May 2000 B&H Lost By 32 Runs Cardiff
30 Apr 2000 NL Won By 10 Runs Cardiff
25 Jul 1999 NL Lost By 71 Runs Pontypridd
19 Jun 1999 NL Won By 143 Runs The Oval
5 Jul 1998 NL Lost By 107 Runs Swansea
7 Sep 1997 NL Won By 2 Wickets The Oval
15 Sep 1996 NL Won By 7 Wickets Cardiff
25 Jun 1995 NL Lost By 9 Wickets The Oval
27 Jul 1994 NWT Won By 5 Wickets Swansea
5 Jun 1994 NL No Result Swansea
10 May 1994 B&H Won By 3 Wickets The Oval
13 Jun 1993 NL Lost By 10 Wickets The Oval
5 Jul 1992 NL Won By 7 Wickets Llanelli
24 Jun 1992 NWT Lost By 4 Wickets Swansea
28 Jul 1991 NL Lost By 3 Runs The Oval
1 Jul 1990 NL Lost By 8 Wickets Cardiff

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