SURREY V HAMPSHIRE at the Kia Oval (Royal London One-Day Cup), 30 APRIL 2019

This will be both Hampshire and Surrey's 1,000th match in List A, however only one of them has something to play for in terms of this year's Royal London. Hampshire, along with Somerset and Sussex, look ideally positioned for progression onward to the knockout phase. The Rose Bowl outfit have a record of Played 5, Won 4. Surrey's is the reverse - Played 5, Lost 4. Indeed, only Kent sit below the South Londoners in the nine-team South Division table.

One reason for Hampshire's success in this year's 50-over competition is James Vince's dazzling form with the bat (402 runs at an average of 80.40, including a score of 190 against Gloucestershire a few days ago, where he was supported ably by Liam Dawson (73)). Two other men in nick are Rilee Rossouw (215 Royal London runs at 53.75) and opener Tom Alsop (average 46.75). Overseas signing, South Africa's Aiden Markram is only averaging a paltry (it's all relative) 37.40.

With the ball, Liam Dawson has been a revelation, going at just 3.97 runs per over en route to 11 wickets at 17.72 apiece in the Royal London. The 29-year-old slow left-armer has also had the advantage of feeding off the damage Kyle Abbott has caused with the new ball (11 wickets at an average of 20.00). If the Rose Bowl outfit do have a weakness is that the likes of Fuller and Wheal have generally been got after. In James Fuller's case that's something of a surprise given he was considered a white-ball specialist during his time with Middlesex.

The out-of-action Scott Borthwick has an enviable List A one-day record against Hampshire, averaging 64.50 with the willow and just 18.50 runs per wicket with the ball against the Rose Bowl outfit. But Dean Elgar has also prospered - scoring 78 (for Somerset in 2017) and 91 (for Surrey last term) in his only two List A innings against Hampshire.

Surrey v Hampshire - List A Records Sheet

Matches in List A one-day cricket - Surrey (999) and Hampshire (999). In addition, Hampshire's Kyle Abbott looks set to be handed his 100th one-day outing.

Surrey have named an unchanged squad, more by default than choice due to the extent of their injury list coupled with the international commitments of Tom Curran and Liam Plunkett. Today came the news that Jason Roy will miss England's ODI against Ireland due to the back spasm he suffered during last Tuesday's 65-run Royal London victory over Essex.

With Hampshire riding high in this year's Royal London and Surrey in the doldrums, it would be bold to suggest that this will be anything but a comfortable victory for the visitors. But, for Rory Burns' men, there's still pride to play for and, generally speaking, their recent home record in List A is a mark-up on their away form. Since the start of 2011, Surrey's one-day matches at the Oval have brought 23 victories, 7 losses, one tie and five no results. Prediction - Sorry, but, man for man, Hampshire just look too strong right now.

T.Alsop (wk), A.Markram, J.Vince (capt), S.Northeast, R.Rossouw, L.Dawson, J.Fuller, G.Berg, K.Abbott, B.Wheal and M.Crane.

Neil Bainton and Ben Debenham.

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