SURREY BROWN CAPS V KENT SPITFIRES at Guildford (Pro 40 League 2), 23 JULY 2006

Arguably, the big news ahead of tomorrow's NatWest Pro40 contest - the first involving Surrey - is that the England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones has been told to play by Duncan Fletcher, who has had to defend his stumper's recent lack of runs; not to mention his untidy performances behind the timbers. If that means that Duncan will be tuning in to Sky TV's live broadcast of the match, one assumes that Rikki Clarke - fresh from his 214 against Somerset in the championship - will also be keen to impress the England supremo, especially after the news regarding Andrew Flintoff's fitness.

One look at this season's List A averages suggests that the secret to beating Kent is to account for Darren Stevens (407 runs at an average of 50.87) and 21-year-old Neil Dexter early on in the Spitfires' innings. But in Dwayne Bravo and Tyrone Henderson the visitors have two all-rounders capable of turning the game on its head, though since both have recently come in to replace Kent's original overseas signings - Hall and Kemp - this is yet to be put to the test in 40-over cricket. With the ball in his hand spinner Min Patel has been more miserly than a Yorkshire man with Scottish roots. He has been backed up by fellow twirler James Tredwell, while Amjad Khan has been a handy partnership-breaker.


Surrey's Ian Salisbury is set to make the 250th List A appearance of his career. The leg-spinner is also three away from 250 List A wickets. If he plays for Kent, Martin Saggers is two wickets shy of 150 in List A cricket.


The club have neglected to release any team news, so your guess is as good as mine. One hopes, however, that the likes of Nayan Doshi, Rory Hamilton-Brown and Tim Murtagh will get a run in Surrey's Pro40 side at the expense of one or two older pairs of legs. 

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Essex 25 Jun 2006 Lost By 6 Wickets Chelmsford 128 (39) 131-4 (15.3)
Gloucestershire 18 Jun 2006 Lost By 2 Runs Bristol 337 (49.5) 339-8 (50)
Middlesex 11 Jun 2006 Lost By 108 Runs Southgate 149 (33.4) 257-9 (50)
Hampshire 4 Jun 2006 Lost By 8 Wickets Whitgift School 166 (40.2) 167-2 (26)
Glamorgan 29 May 2006 Won By 68 Runs The Oval 200 (45) 132 (31.3)


Surrey's one-day dominance over Kent really does defy all logic, but long may it continue. However, the law of averages suggests the Spitfires are due some luck, so I've got a £10 insurance bet on them winning tomorrow's contest.


N Dexter, D Stevens, M van Jaarsveld, R Key (capt), M Walker, D Bravo, G Jones (wk), J Tredwell, T Henderson, M Patel and A Khan.


David Constant and George Sharp. (3rd umpire - Allan Jones).

DATE COMP RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY KENT
11 Jul 2006 T20 Won By 60 Runs Canterbury Surrey Bat 217-4 (20) 157 (18.2)
28 Jun 2006 T20 Won By 107 Runs The Oval Kent Field 198-6 (20) 91 (11.4)
1 May 2006 C&G Won By 1 Run Canterbury Surrey Bat 223-5 (30) 222-6 (30)
22 Aug 2005 NL No Result The Oval No toss made - - -
7 Aug 2005 NL Won By 5 Wickets Canterbury Kent Bat 212-5 (41.2) 211 (45)
1 Jul 2005 T20 Won By 23 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 167-6 (15) 144-8 (15)
22 Jun 2005 T20 Won By 7 Wickets Beckenham Kent Bat 141-3 (16) 140-8 (20)
18 Jul 2004 NL Won By 4 Wickets Canterbury Surrey Field 193-6 (33.4) 192-8 (34)
9 Jul 2004 T20 Won By 3 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 185-7 (20) 182-9 (20)
13 Jun 2004 NL Lost By 5 Wickets The Oval Kent Field 230-8 (45) 234-5 (43.5)
3 Sep 2003 NL Won By 5 Wickets Canterbury Kent Bat 143-5 (37) 142 (31.4)
23 Jun 2003 T20 Won By 18 Runs Canterbury Kent Field 186-8 (20) 168-9 (20)
18 May 2003 NL Won By 6 Runs The Oval Kent Field 322-7 (45) 316-7 (45)
4 May 2002 B&H Won By 44 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 257-9 (50) 213 (45.3)
14 Aug 2001 NL Lost By 43 Runs Canterbury Kent Bat 164 (38.1) 207 (42)
24 Jun 2001 NL Lost By 2 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 154 (44.2) 158-8 (39.3)
7 May 2001 B&H Lost By 1 Run Canterbury Kent Bat 264 (49.1) 265-9 (50)
16 Apr 2000 B&H No Result The Oval No toss made - - -

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