SURREY V KENT at the Kia Oval (Royal London One-Day Cup), 12 MAY 2017

Despite Daniel Bell-Drummond opening his Royal London account with scores of 56, 106 and 138 this season, Kent have not started the competition as they would have liked - losing three before breaking their duck against Middlesex. Bell-Drummond was amongst the runs again, against Gloucestershire, but his departure in the 39th over for 90 spelt the beginning of the end in terms of the hop county's chances of chasing down a target of 276 at Bristol.

But while the 23-year-old opener represents Kent's future, one has to wonder whether they would have a bowling attack worthy of the name were it not for veteran spinner James Tredwell, 35, and even more veteran all-rounder Darren Stevens, 41. Tredwell is conceding just 4.54 runs per over in this year's Royal London, and Stevens 5.34. Other than Charlie Hartley, who broke back into the Spitfires' side for the trip to Bristol, the remainder have proved expensive.

With Kent's batting under constant pressure to deliver, get Bell-Drummond early and Surrey could take some catching tomorrow. But they will do well not to under-estimate Alex Blake, who has history against the Oval outfit. Not only does he average 57.00 against them in one-day cricket, his unbeaten 66 was the difference when Beckenham played host to Kent v Surrey last summer.

Just two current Surrey players have made one-day half-centuries against Kent - Jason Roy and Kumar Sangakkara. Still, with the ball, Ravi Rampaul averages 10.77 runs per wicket in List A against them.

Surrey v Kent - List A Records Sheet

Ben Foakes (951) is approaching 1,000 List A career runs, while Kent's Joe Denly (3,980) is closing in on 4,000. Of the bowlers, Ravi Rampaul needs four more scalps to reach 250 List A wickets.

Tomorrow, Jason Roy will pull on a Surrey shirt for the first time this summer. Also named in the hosts' 14-man squad are Kumar Sangakkara (who missed Sunday's game at Hove with a groin strain) and Mark Footitt (who has not been available recently, owing to a side strain). Unfortunately, Jade Dernbach misses out again, even though his back problem was expected to be behind him in time for this make-or-break clash.

Surrey, who have just one victory to show from their last seven List A meetings with Kent, welcome back Jason Roy, whose one-day record against the hop county is 144 runs in two innings. However, Sam Billings has also been excused from returning to the IPL, for which Kent will be thankful. Sadly, the weather forecast, not just for tomorrow but for Sunday's game against Hampshire shows a 40% chance of rain. It's a must win, so I've got no choice but to back Surrey.

D.Bell-Drummond, S.Billings (wk), S.Northeast (capt), S.Dickson, D.Stevens, A.Blake, J.Denly, M.Coles, W.Parnell, C.Hartley and J.Tredwell.

Rob Bailey and Billy Taylor.

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