SURREY BROWN CAPS V GLOUCESTERSHIRE GLADIATORS at the Brit Oval (Pro 40 League 2), 12 SEPTEMBER 2006

With the Surrey Brown Caps yet to be beaten in the Pro40 League and the Gloucestershire Gladiators having only slipped up the once, this contest is the cricketing equivalent of a six-pointer. Whichever side takes the spoils tomorrow night will be ideally placed in terms of winning promotion at the end of the season.

Other than the injured Ian Harvey, former skipper Chris Taylor (476 List A runs at an average of 43.27) and keeper Steve Adshead, not one of Gloucestershire's batsmen have fulfilled their potential in the C&G Trophy and Pro40 League this summer. In the field, however, the Gladiators have been demons with Jon Lewis, James Averis, Mark Hardinges and spinners Martyn Ball (21 List A wickets at 16.38 runs apiece) and Ian Fisher proving to be a formidable bowling unit.

The Brown Caps' record in floodlit National League matches is mixed. They have lost three out of their last five, in which a conclusion was reached. Prior to that, however, Surrey had won seven on the spin. In day-night games in September, the Brit Oval outfit have tasted victory in four out of their last five. Three - against Yorkshire in 2001, Derbyshire in 2002 and Kent in 2003 - have come when the Brown Caps batted second under lights. 


Nayan Doshi, Surrey's leading wicket-taker in one-day cricket this summer, is two away from 50 career wickets in List A cricket.


On the assumption that Azhar Mahmood's left knee has put him out of action, Mohammad Akram, who took 3-37 in the recent Pro40 win over Yorkshire, appears likely to return as does one-day specialist Tim Murtagh. With Rikki Clarke back from England duty and James Benning rumoured to be fit again, Jade Dernbach and Neil Saker seem unlikely to feature. 

OPPONENT DATE COMP RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Yorkshire 27 Aug 2006 NL Won By 75 Runs The Oval 277-4 (40) 202-9 (40)
Hampshire 23 Aug 2006 NL No Result Rose Bowl - -
Leicestershire 6 Aug 2006 NL Won By 33 Runs The Oval 275-7 (40) 242 (36)
Derbyshire 30 Jul 2006 NL Won By 8 Wickets Chesterfield 211-2 (27.2) 207 (39.4)
Kent 23 Jul 2006 NL Won By 6 Wickets Guildford 232-4 (37) 229-9 (40)


At this time of year, under lights, it's foolish to make any predictions until the captains have tossed up and the winner elects to bat first. I think you get my drift.


C Spearman, P Weston, H Marshall, C Taylor, A Gidman, S Adshead (wk), M Hardinges, I Fisher, M Ball, J Lewis (capt) and J Averis.


Barry Dudleston and Jeff Evans. (3rd umpire - Vanburn Holder).

DATE COMP RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY GLOS
24 Jul 2006 T20 Won By 80 Runs Bristol Gloucestershire Field 224-5 (20) 144 (18.5)
18 Jun 2006 C&G Lost By 2 Runs Bristol Gloucestershire Bat 337 (49.5) 339-8 (50)
17 May 2005 C&G Won By 3 Wickets Bristol Surrey Field 232-7 (49.3) 230-8 (50)
11 Jul 2004 NL Lost By 4 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 176 (43.5) 180-6 (38.1)
16 May 2004 NL Lost By 42 Runs Bristol Gloucestershire Bat 215-9 (45) 257-6 (45)
5 Aug 2003 NL Won By 66 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 297-6 (45) 231 (40)
19 Jul 2003 T20 Won By 5 Runs Trent Bridge Surrey Bat 147-9 (20) 142-6 (20)
25 May 2003 NL No Result Bristol No toss made - - -
22 Sep 2002 NL Won By 79 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 263-8 (45) 184 (39.2)
19 May 2002 NL Lost By 1 Wicket Bristol Gloucestershire Field 163-9 (45) 164-9 (43.3)
16 Sep 2001 NL Won By 36 Runs Bristol Surrey Bat 157-8 (45) 121 (42)
12 Aug 2001 NL Won By 2 Wickets The Oval Gloucestershire Bat 180-8 (40.4) 176 (40.1)
14 Jul 2001 B&H Won By 47 Runs Lord's Surrey Bat 244 (49.5) 197 (45.5)
27 Jun 1999 B&H Lost By 7 Wickets Bristol Gloucestershire Field 220-9 (50) 222-3 (48)
26 Jul 1998 NL Lost By 22 Runs Cheltenham Gloucestershire Bat 239 (38) 261-8 (40)
8 Jul 1998 NWT Won By 52 Runs Bristol Surrey Bat 215 (59.1) 163 (55)
30 Apr 1998 B&H Won By 7 Wickets The Oval Surrey Field 270-3 (47.3) 266-7 (50)
18 May 1997 NL Won By 5 Wickets The Oval Surrey Field 177-5 (40) 176-9 (40)
30 Apr 1997 B&H Won By 3 Wickets Bristol Gloucestershire Bat 282-7 (49.2) 280-7 (50)
26 May 1996 NL Won By 72 Runs Gloucester Gloucestershire Field 138-5 (15) 66 (12.2)
30 Apr 1996 B&H Won By 3 Wickets The Oval Gloucestershire Bat 308-7 (48.5) 307-4 (50)
16 Jul 1995 NL Won By 19 Runs The Oval Gloucestershire Field 265-2 (40) 246-8 (40)

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