SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the Kia Oval (LVCC)
13-16 APRIL 2023

Fourth plays host to joint second - a scenario very similar to the one going into the corresponding meeting at the Oval last season, which the hosts won handsomely thanks to Jamie Overton's 5-54 in the first dig and a superb all-round display from Surrey's attack in the second; which caused Hampshire to slip from 141-2 to 227 all out.

Last summer, seven of Hampshire's batters racked up over 500 runs in the County Championship, but not one averaged over forty and just two (Nick Gubbins and Felix Organ) recorded more than a solitary four-day ton. Skipper James Vince finished with 839 Champo runs at 38.13, while wicketkeeper Ben Brown slotted straight in (following his move from Sussex) by scoring 696 at an average of 38.66 as well as claiming 43 dismissals.

The bowling was, by far, the south coast outfit's strongest suit last term. Kyle Abbott (58 victims at 19.98), Keith Barker (52 at 22.38) and Mohammad Abbas (50 at an impressive 17.62) all bagged over fifty wickets in the championship, while James Fuller, Ian Holland and slow left-armer Liam Dawson all averaged under 29.

Ollie Pope could be key for Surrey. Five of his 16 first-class hundreds have been at Hampshire’s expense. He goes into this clash with 920 f-c runs at an average of 115.00 against them.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Kemar Roach needs 10 more wickets for 500 first-class career scalps and Dominic Sibley (6,875) is 125 f-c runs shy of the 7,000-mark. Meanwhile, in the away dressing room, Hampshire's Keith Barker (499), Liam Dawson (248) and James Fuller (192) are approaching their 500th, 250th and 200th first-class wickets respectively.

Surrey have named a 14-man squad comprising the eleven who did battle with Lancashire at Old Trafford plus Gus Atkinson, Ben Geddes and Tom Lawes. The absence of Dan Moriarty, who also travelled to Manchester, suggests spin is unlikely to be a factor. It has also been announced that fast bowler Conor McKerr has joined Kent on loan.

Day two looks likely to fall foul of persistent drizzle (why can't it just rain hard, briefly, then stop?!), so it will be interesting to see how the wicket plays. With the weather we've had recently, it could be a bit spicy. Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott reminded everyone of their potency against Notts last week; the counter to that is Surrey's attack relish bowling at the Oval. Prediction - Hampshire don't do draws, so it will all come down to the batting, which, on paper, gives the hosts the edge.

F.Organ, F.Middleton, N.Gubbins, J.Vince (capt), L.Dawson, B.Brown (wk), I.Holland, K.Barker, J.Fuller, K.Abbott and Mohammad Abbas.

Russell Warren and Alex Wharf.

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