SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the Kia Oval (VCC)
26-29 APRIL 2024

Second in Division One plays host to sixth. While Hampshire's start to the season has been stalled due to a combination of flat pitches, the Kookaburra ball and the opening round abandonment of their game with Durham, Surrey got off the mark last week against Kent after creditable draws with Lancashire and Somerset.

Given not everyone plays each other twice in Division One of the championship, it was vital the Oval outfit took full advantage in their only red ball meeting with Kent this term. If it’s not as wet or as chilly, it will be a different kettle of fish against Hampshire, who were one of just two sides to beat Surrey over four days in 2023.

Nick Gubbins (238 championship runs at 119.00), Liam Dawson and Tom Prest have already been in the runs, but the Hampshire batter who still commands the most respect is skipper James Vince who made 1,007 runs at an average of 47.95 in last summer's Champo, despite reaching three figures on just one occasion.

Mohammad Abbas and Kyle Abbott picked up nearly 100 wickets between them in 2023, with James Fuller chipping in at first change. But the resurgence of Liam Dawson as a slow left-arm all-rounder has continued from 2023 into this term. So far Dawson has notched up 11 scalps at 34 runs apiece with the ball.

Surrey v Hampshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Gus Atkinson just needs one more wicket for 50 in first-class, while Dom Sibley (7,840 f-c career runs) and Jamie Smith (2,910) are approaching landmarks with the bat. Of the Hampshire contingent, Kyle Abbott will start this game on 598 f-c wickets, while Ben Brown (9,900 runs) and Ali Orr (1,944) are also eyeing up landmarks.

Gus Atkinson and Ollie Pope are both in the reckoning again after a week off at the request of the ECB, but Ben Foakes will miss Hampshire's visit to the Oval for that very reason. Tom Lawes (heel) and Jamie Overton (back) are also absent.

Surrey have beaten Hampshire at the Oval en route to each of their last 5 County Championship titles. However, with the weather forecast for days 2 and 3 looking none too clever, it looks as though this meeting will be all about the accumulation of bonus points.

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

Russell Warren and Alex Wharf.

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