SURREY V LANCASHIRE at Whitgift School (FCC1), 11-14 AUGUST 2004

Like Surrey, tomorrow's visitors to Whitgift, Lancashire, have not lived up to expectations in this summer’s County Championship. By the same token, though, they have been difficult to beat and certainly do not share their hosts’ relegation concerns. But for a deduction of two points for a slow over-rate the Red Rose county would have been lying joint fourth in the Division One table prior to last week's round of matches.

India’s Dinesh Mongia has been a revelation with the bat since coming in to replace Stuart Law (who is out with a back complaint) as one of Lancashire’s two overseas players, whilst the supporting cast, led by Mark Chilton, Iain Sutcliffe and Mal Loye (809 championship runs at an average of 62.23) have chipped as and when necessary. However, Loye will not be travelling to Croydon after damaging an Achilles tendon against Warwickshire a fortnight ago. 21-year-old Paul Horton is therefore likely to make his second championship appearance of the summer.

When it clicks, the Red Rose bowling attack is a highly effective unit. Augmented by the arrival, this season, of the former England seamer Dominic Cork from Derbyshire, there is no shortage of options in the seam department. Indeed, Kyle Hogg has hardly featured this summer, despite Sajid Mahmood averaging in excess of 47 runs per victim, and Peter Martin only seems to get a game when James Anderson is not required by England.

The slow left-arm spin of Gary Keedy (37 wickets at 30.64 runs apiece) has been a permanent presence, while acting skipper Carl Hooper has played a respected second-fiddle in addition to being a safe pair of hands and free-flowing middle-order batsman. But if wicketkeeper Warren Hegg overcomes his hamstring problem in time to play, Hooper will have to hand back the reins. Alternatively, Jamie Haynes will continue to deputise behind the sticks.

Quite a few of Surrey's line-up have milestones approaching: Mark Ramprakash is set to make his 50th championship appearance for the Club and is 131 runs away from making 1,000 first-class runs against Lancashire. Azhar Mahmood needs 12 more runs to reach 1,000 first-class for Surrey. Jonathan Batty now has nine f-c hundreds to his name; how the Surrey faithful would love to see a tenth over the next few days. Rikki Clarke needs 3 more wickets for 50 first-class over his career. Finally, Jimmy Ormond has now bagged 19 f-c five-wicket hauls in his tenth season.

Since 2000, Surrey and Lancashire have shared the honours whenever they have met. Generally speaking, however, the majority of their clashes have ended in stalemate. If the weather forecast for Day Two is to be believed, this one will too. However, in last year’s championship game at Whitgift, winning the toss and batting first proved to be a huge advantage. Expect the same again this time round.

Martin Bicknell is named in the twelve for tomorrow, but Tim Murtagh has been placed on standby. Alex Tudor makes way. Since Mark Butcher is still overcoming his pulled calf muscle, Richard Clinton is set to open again.

M Chilton, I Sutcliffe, P Horton, D Mongia, C Hooper (capt), C Schofield, G Chapple, D Cork, J Haynes (wk), S Mahmood and G Keedy.

26-29 Aug 2003	Lost By 8 Wickets	Old Trafford
18-21 Apr 2003	Match Drawn	The Oval
31 May - 3 Jun 2002	Match Drawn	Old Trafford
8-11 May 2002	Won By 3 Wickets	The Oval
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001	Match Drawn	The Oval
25-28 Apr 2001	Abandoned	Old Trafford
13-16 Sep 2000	Match Drawn	Old Trafford
2-5 Aug 2000	Won By 272 Runs	The Oval
15-18 Jun 1999	Won By 4 Wickets	The Oval
18-21 Jun 1998	Lost By 6 Wickets	Old Trafford
10-12 Sep 1997	Lost By An Innings & 55 Runs	The Oval
7-9 Aug 1996	Won By 140 Runs	Southport
29 Aug - 1 Sep 1995	Lost By 9 Wickets	The Oval
5-9 May 1994	Won By 10 Wickets	Old Trafford
3-7 Jun 1993	Lost By 96 Runs	The Oval
4-6 Aug 1992	Lost By 86 Runs	Lytham
17-20 Sep 1991	Lost By 1 Wicket	Old Trafford
22-24 May 1991	Won By 8 Wickets	The Oval
29-31 Aug 1990	Match Drawn	Blackpool
3-7 May 1990	Match Drawn	The Oval

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