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SURREY V LEICESTERSHIRE at the AMP Oval (CC1), 14-17 MAY 2003
Since losing the final game of the 1998 season to that
summer's County Champions, Surrey have shown Leicestershire little mercy.
They came close to being defeated up at Grace Road in July 2001, but a memorable
rearguard led by Martin Bicknell denied them in the unlikeliest of
circumstances. Both of last year's encounters were as one-sided as
championship fixtures get, and with the foxes appearing to lack even more teeth
this term there is every reason to anticipate another Surrey victory.
So far this season tomorrow's visitors have been involved
in two low-scoring draws, which is reflected in their batting and bowling
averages. Paul Nixon (64.33) and Darren Maddy (40.66) are the only batsmen
averaging over thirty, but Virender Sehwag is set to make his championship
debut. Continuing on the positive side, 21-year-old David Brignall,
Charlie Dagnall, Devon Malcolm and off-spinner Jeremy Snape's wickets have all
come at a cost of 23.00 or less.
A number of the home contingent should be looking forward
to this encounter. Mark Ramprakash's career average against the foxes is
87.36; despite having never made more than 29 against them in chocolate trim.
Butcher, Hollioake and Ward also have good records with the bat.
Meanwhile, with the ball, Martin Bicknell has captured 74 Leicestershire wickets
at 20.92 over the last 17 years, including a match aggregate 16-119 at Guildford
in 2000.
If the weather intervenes, as did in this summer's first two championship
encounters at The Oval, it is often hard to force a result. Given the
forecast and the likelihood of another excellent pitch for batting, make plans
for watching the FA Cup final in SE11 on Saturday - it could take that long to
overcome what appears on paper to be an extremely weak Leicestershire side.
Alex Tudor misses out through injury (knee), but Ian Salisbury is available once
more following problems with his spinning finger. Rikki Clarke for the out
of form Alistair Brown could be the other change, but do not expect to see
Graham Thorpe make a re-appearance. He is rumoured to be the key name
missing from the Surrey squad for this fixture.
T Ward, V Sehwag, B Hodge, D Maddy, D Stevens,
P Nixon (wk), J Snape, P
DeFreitas (capt), C
Dagnall, D Brignull and D Malcolm.
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18-21 Sep 2002 |
Won By 483 Runs |
The Oval |
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14-16 Aug 2002 |
Won By 7 Wickets |
Leicester |
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4-7 Jul 2001 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
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16-19 May 2001 |
Match Drawn |
The Oval |
|
19-21 Jul 2000 |
Won By 10 Wickets |
Guildford |
|
7-9 Jul 2000 |
Won By An Innings & 178 Runs |
Oakham School |
|
9-12 Jun 1999 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
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17-19 Sep 1998 |
Lost By An Innings & 211 Runs |
The Oval |
|
21-24 May 1997 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
|
13-17 Jun 1996 |
Won By 108 Runs |
The Oval |
|
27-31 Jul 1995 |
Lost By An Innings & 37 Runs |
Leicester |
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23-27 Jun 1994 |
Won By An Innings & 50 Runs |
The Oval |
|
29 Apr - 2 May 1993 |
Won By 89 Runs |
Leicester |
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14-17 Aug 1992 |
Lost By 72 Runs |
The Oval |
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14-17 Jun 1991 |
Match Drawn |
Leicester |
|
11-14 Aug 1990 |
Won By An Innings & 5 Runs |
The Oval |
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