SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 6-9 SEPTEMBER 2016

Third plays host to eighth. Surrey are on a run of three victories in four games in the County Championship. Indeed, they have not lost in all competitions since 21st July. Hampshire, meanwhile, go into this week's four-day clash on the back of just one win in nine championship outings.

Hampshire's problems haven't been down to a lack of runs - far from it. With James Vince and Liam Dawson back in the fold they will have at least five players on show this week with 500 championship runs under their belts this season. Had they not allowed Adam Wheater to go on loan to Essex - which seems bizarre given their current plight given that he was averaging 47.17 with the bat - the Rose Bowl outfit might have had more. Michael Carberry's absence, due to health reasons, and Vince to the England Test team have been alleviated by Ryan McLaren (719 championship runs at 59.91) and Hampshire stalwart Sean Ervine, who is their leading run-maker this season in four-day cricket with 826 at 55.06. The only real disappointment has been the form of opener Will Smith, who is averaging 26.32.

McLaren has, in many ways, also carried Hampshire's bowling attack. The South African currently has 30 championship wickets at 37.56. Other than up-and-coming leg-spinner Mason Crane (27 at 43.44 runs apiece), no one has bagged more than 17 in this season's County Championship, which underlines the effect of losing Fidel Edwards, James Tomlinson and Reece Topley to injury. If he plays, keep an eye out for Brad Wheal, a 20-year-old seamer of whom much is expected.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet


Tomorrow could see Amar Virdi make his county debut. Rory Burns has 4,948 first-class runs, while Dominic Sibley has 953 and Stuart Meaker 247 f-c wickets. Turning to Hampshire, James Vince (6.955) is approaching 7,000 first-class career runs.


Once again, Zafar Ansari (back) has not made the Surrey squad, which could open the door for Amar Virdi. But if Surrey prefer to cover for the absence of both Ansari and Jason Roy (international duty) by playing the extra batsman it would appear to be a toss up between Arun Harinath and Gary Wilson. Ravi Rampaul is also named in the 14-man line-up.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Lancashire 23-26 Aug 2016 Won By 10 Wickets The Oval 480 & 39-0 287 & 230
Warwickshire 13-16 Aug 2016 Won By 226 Runs Edgbaston 252 & 390 247 & 169
Middlesex 4-7 Aug 2016 Match Drawn Lord's 415 & 266-7d 293 & 278-6
Hampshire 17-20 Jul 2016 Won By An Inns & 13 Runs Rose Bowl 637-7d 423 & 201
Yorkshire 11-14 Jul 2016 Match Drawn The Oval 267 & 106-1 407


Of their 90 first-class games away to Surrey, Hampshire have won just nine. The other interesting stat is that the last six championship meetings between Surrey and Hampshire have either ended in a draw or with one side winning by an innings. Since the weather is set fair, can we expect Surrey to do an in season innings double over Hampshire? It does seem more likely than the visitors turning the table on the Oval outfit, but life is rarely that straightforward. With the sides just above them in the table struggling for form, Hampshire will fight tooth and nail to get something out of this contest, however, I'd still expect Surrey to win through.


J.Adams, T.Alsop, S.Ervine, J.Vince (capt), L.Dawson, R.McLaren, L.McManus (wk), G.Berg, M.Crane, A.Carter and B.Wheal.


Peter Hartley and Alex Wharf. This is the first time this season Peter Hartley has officiated a championship game involving Surrey. In 2015, Surrey won three of the four in which Hartley stood, drawing the other. The Oval outfit last came across Alex Wharf in a four-day game earlier this summer, when they lost to Yorkshire by an innings and 20 runs at Headingley. Combined leg-before-o-meter: 20.4% of dismissals.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY HAMPSHIRE
17-20 Jul 2016 Won By An Inns & 13 Runs Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 637-7d 423 & 201
28 Jun - 1 Jul 2014 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 474-8d & 13-0d 354
27-30 Apr 2014 Match Drawn Rose Bowl Surrey Field 99-2 400-6d
9-12 Sep 2008 Lost By An Inns & 122 Runs The Oval Surrey Field 210 & 148 480-8d
14-17 May 2008 Match Drawn Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 278 & 229-8d 227 & 247-8
30 Aug - 2 Sep 2007 Won By An Inns & 37 Runs Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 556 221 & 298
25-28 Apr 2007 Lost By 35 Runs The Oval Hampshire Bat 203 & 467 481 & 224-1
24-27 Aug 2005 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 378 & 302 361-6d
15-17 Jun 2005 Won By An Inns & 55 Runs Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 361 146 & 160
11-14 Sep 2002 Won By 123 Runs Rose Bowl Surrey Bat 418 & 422-8d 327 & 390
22-25 Aug 2002 Won By An Inns & 60 Runs The Oval Hampshire Bat 576 190 & 326
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2000 Won By 120 Runs Southampton Surrey Bat 331 & 228-6d 167 & 272
1-4 Jun 2000 Won By 2 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 333 & 142 210 & 263
14-17 Jul 1999 Won By 156 Runs Guildford Surrey Bat 171 & 482 322 & 175
13-15 May 1998 Won By An Inns & 184 Runs Southampton Surrey Bat 591 189 & 218
16-19 Jul 1997 Won By 9 Wickets Guildford Surrey Bat 477 & 78-1 303 & 251
25-29 Jul 1996 Won By 5 Wickets Southampton Hampshire Bat 331 & 332-5 359 & 301-4d
14-18 Sep 1995 Match Drawn The Oval Hampshire Bat 71-2d & 175-2 185 & 152
18-22 Aug 1994 Lost By An Inns & 68 Runs Southampton Surrey Bat 150 & 385 603-7d
31 Aug - 3 Sep 1993 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 380 & 281-8 559

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