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SURREY V GLOUCESTERSHIRE
at the Brit Oval (FCC1), 16-19 AUGUST 2005
I hope that if I keep on repeating in my
Surrey-Gloucestershire game previews that the west countryman have not lost to
the Ovalites in the County Championship since 1995 that stat's days will be
numbered... and how Surrey need to ensure its reversal. Anything but a victory will
effectively end their waning hopes of avoiding relegation to Division Two.
Both sides go into tomorrow's encounter on the back of
defeats at the hands of the championship's hottest property right now, Sussex.
For Gloucestershire only the mathematics say they can still stay up, but the
reality is that they are sunk and have an opportunity here of bringing Surrey
down with them.
But the Bristolians have struggled to put runs on the board
this summer. The loss to injury of skipper Chris Taylor, who dislocated his
shoulder when these two sides met at the beginning of July, has been more than
made up for by the arrival of the West Indies' Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is
averaging 41.33 in the championship. However, the adhesive Phil Weston is
injured and Craig Spearman continues to look like a shadow of his former self.
All things considered, though, the Ovalites will remember - not all that fondly
- how Gidman, Adshed and Fisher can frustrate.
With the ball much appears to depend on the performances of
Sri Lanka's leg-spinning Malinga Bandara and the former Yorkshire paceman Steve
Kirby (35 championship wickets at 27.97 runs apiece) when Jonathan Lewis is
unavailable.
On paper Surrey should win easily. Trouble is, they have to play on grass. So
much also seems to depend on what sort of mood the Surrey dressing-room is in.
Word is, it hit new lows following the defeat against Kent at Guildford and,
subsequently, the championship loss down at Hove. But, how then, can one explain
the Lions resurgence in the totesport League? Very puzzling, but I've still got
to put my money where my mouth is, right? It's do or die time, which, last
summer, proved to be the kick up the pants Surrey needed, so, I will be
surprised if Gloucestershire win this one.
Martin Bicknell (Achilles), Rikki Clarke (hand) and James Ormond (hand) are all
out of action, possibly for some time. James Benning (ankle) is also prevented
from making a rare championship appearance after hitting some form in last
week's friendly with Bangladesh A. But the good news is that three influential
Surrey players - namely Mark Butcher, Saqlain Mushtaq and Graham Thorpe - are
back in the fold.
C Spearman, Kadeer Ali, R Sarwan, M Windows, A Gidman (capt), S Adshead (wk), I
Fisher, M Hardinges, C Bandara, W Rudge and S Kirby.
|
DATE |
RESULT |
VENUE |
TOSS |
DECISION |
SURREY |
GLOS |
|
8-11 Jul 2005 |
Match Drawn |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
603 & 84-3 |
288 & 494 |
|
18-21 Jun 2004 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Field |
598 |
368 & 255-9 |
|
2-4 Jun 2004 |
Lost By 6 Wickets |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Bat |
298 & 213 |
406 & 106-4 |
|
13-16 Apr 1999 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Field |
342 & 229-7d |
213 & 209-5 |
|
22-24 Jul 1998 |
Lost By 2 Wickets |
Cheltenham |
Surrey |
Bat |
297 & 135 |
167 & 266-8 |
|
14-16 May 1997 |
Lost By 9 Wickets |
The Oval |
Surrey |
Bat |
115 & 269 |
371 & 15-1 |
|
23-27 May 1996 |
Match Drawn |
Gloucester |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
228-6d & 174-8 |
373 & 163-2d |
|
27-30 Apr 1995 |
Won By 93 Runs |
The Oval |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
217 & 475 |
392 & 207 |
|
26-30 May 1994 |
Won By 1 Wicket |
Gloucester |
Surrey |
Field |
72-3d & 354-9 |
319-7d & 106-4d |
|
15-17 Jul 1993 |
Won By An Innings & 66 Runs |
Guildford |
Surrey |
Field |
381 |
153 & 162 |
|
26-29 Jun 1992 |
Won By 4 Wickets |
Bristol |
Surrey |
Field |
300-5d & 232-6 |
352-9d & 178 |
|
16-18 Jul 1991 |
Won By 2 Wickets |
Guildford |
Gloucestershire |
Bat |
250-3d & 252-8 |
304-9d & 197-3d |
|
28-31 Jul 1990 |
Match Drawn |
Cheltenham |
Surrey |
Field |
200-6d & 302-9 |
301 & 202-4d |
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