SURREY V GLOUCESTERSHIRE at the Kia Oval (Royal London One-Day Cup), 23 MAY 2018

One more defeat for Surrey in the Royal London and they can probably wave goodbye to any chance of progressing to the knockout phase, which would be a shame because, before long, their line-up will include the likes of Kohli, Roy, Morkel and the Currans. Gloucestershire, who beat Surrey in the final three years ago, have opened their 2018 account with back-to-back victories, against Glamorgan, initially, and then Essex.

Not only has George Hankins (162 Royal London runs at an average of 81.00) scored fifties in both for the Bristolians so far, but also skipper Chris Dent, the former Middlesex utility man Ryan Higgins, the not-to-be under-estimated Benny Howell and keeper-batsman Gareth Roderick have all made starts with the willow. Allied to bowling attack that doesn't give anything away, making it ideally suited to one-day cricket, it's not hard to see why the Gloucestershire faithful are beginning to make plans for the last Saturday in June already. Chris Liddle has raced to 8 wickets at 14.52 runs apiece in the Royal London, and one can only admire the accuracy of Australian seamer Dan Worrall (4.70 runs per over) and slow left-armer Tom Smith (4.78); who, of course, made two List A appearances for Surrey in 2009, on loan from Sussex.

The Oval outfit's 496-4 against Gloucestershire at the Oval 11 years ago remains the highest total ever in List A one-day cricket. Each of the last six one-day meetings between Surrey and Gloucestershire have been won by the side batting first. The corresponding clash last year was lost to the weather, but prior to that, in 2016, the Oval outfit ran out comprehensive winners by 165 runs.

Surrey v Gloucestershire - List A Records Sheet

Gloucestershire's Chris Dent (with 1,430) is approaching 2,000 List A career runs. If you can spot any forthcoming List A landmarks from a Surrey perspective, feel free to let me know on Twitter.

Jason Roy is set to return to county action following the Delhi Daredevils' IPL elimination. They finished bottom of the table, but we won't dwell on that or the reason why Roy played in just five of Delhi's 14 fixtures. Tom Curran's side - the Kolkata Knight Riders - are involved in a play-off tomorrow. Fingers crossed that they bow out too. In the meantime, Stuart Meaker looks set to retain his place in the absence of both Curran senior and Morne Morkel (side strain), who has said he is targeting next Tuesday's clash with Sussex.

Gloucestershire have played twice and won twice, while Surrey have played two and lost two, but I've just got a feeling the Oval outfit are determined to prove they're a better side than we have seen thus far in the Royal London. Also, Roy is back in town! (Cue: Thin Lizzy?).

G.Hankins, C.Dent (capt), B.Howell, G.Roderick (wk), I.Cockbain, J.Taylor, R.Higgins, T.Smith, D.Worrall, M.Taylor and C.Liddle.

Michael Gough and Russell Warren.

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