SURREY V GLOUCESTERSHIRE at the Brit Oval (FCC1), 18-21 JUNE 2004

As usual I started my research for this match by checking the odds on Bet365.  To my amazement Surrey are being quoted as 4/6 favourites, while Gloucestershire, winners on their last two championship outings, are the 11/10 outsiders.  Ed Giddins has hopefully been dragged away from the European poker championships in Barcelona and told the news!  As for the wider picture, the bookies have this one down as a mid-to-bottom of the league clash.  Diehard Ovalites may be interested to know that their side are currently being quoted at 25/1 for the title.

One thing is certain - if Surrey are destined to become champions or to avoid relegation, this game has the potential to be a pivotal encounter.  Unfortunately, the weather could be a big factor.  The long-term forecasters got it wrong when these two teams met down in Bristol, but they seem even more certain this time round that rain will make an appearance the more the game progresses.

Looking back to what I said before that game at Bristol, I still stand by my observation that if it were not for the presence of Jon Lewis, Gloucestershire's bowling attack would look very friendly.  The key to the game for Surrey, therefore, is to unsettle the Nevil Road outfit's batsmen, which could be easier said than done now that last season's under-achievers Spearman, Weston and Windows have found some consistency.

For the Brown Caps, look out for Scott Newman's 1,000th championship run (he currently has 951) and Jimmy Ormond's 300th championship wicket (the former Leicestershire man has so far taken 297).  Tim Murtagh, meanwhile, is four scalps away from taking his 50th first-class wicket.  Strange, but true - Nadeem Shahid has reached double figures just three times in Surrey's second innings in the championship in his last 12 second dig knocks.  This season his record is two ducks out of two.  Ouch!

As a statistic, it may well be spread across a significant period of time, nevertheless it is fact that Gloucestershire have beaten Surrey in three out of the last four championship meetings.  Furthernore, the home side will be without both of their overseas players.  But after everything that has happened this summer, Jonathan Batty's men have not lost at the Brit Oval over four days.  Taking the weather forecast into account as well - I know I shouldn't, because it's invariably wrong - I reckon this one will end with honours even. 

Surprise surprise, they might not be needed by England for more than a month, but Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe are both being rested by Duncan Fletcher.  Azhar Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq are still recovering from back and knee injuries respectively; the former experiencing discomfort despite a series of injections last week.  James Benning is said to be a 7-10 days away from overcoming his ankle injury.

C Spearman, P Weston, T Hancock, M Windows, C Taylor (capt), A Gidman, Shoaib Malik, S Adshead (wk), J Averis, Shabbir Ahmed and J Lewis.

2-4 Jun 2004	Lost By 6 Wickets	Bristol
13-16 Apr 1999	Match Drawn	The Oval
22-24 Jul 1998	Lost By 2 Wickets	Cheltenham
14-16 May 1997	Lost By 9 Wickets	The Oval
23-27 May 1996	Match Drawn	Gloucester
27-30 Apr 1995	Won By 93 Runs	The Oval
26-30 May 1994	Won By 1 Wicket	Gloucester
15-17 Jul 1993	Won By An Innings & 66 Runs	Guildford
26-29 Jun 1992	Won By 4 Wickets	Bristol
16-18 Jul 1991	Won By 2 Wickets	Guildford
28-31 Jul 1990	Match Drawn	Cheltenham

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