SURREY V LEICESTERSHIRE at the Kia Oval (LVCC2), 10-13 MAY 2015

Leicestershire may be without a win in the championship since the end of 2012, but there are signs of the Foxes turning the corner. One could argue they've had the upper hand in all three of their outings under new skipper Mark Cosgrove. Had it not been for David Willey's second innings 88 at Northampton and Daniel Bell-Drummond's hundred on the final day at Canterbury, Leicestershire could well be occupying second spot in Division Two. As it is, the Oval will play host to seventh and eighth tomorrow.

With just two batsmen in their line-up with a championship batting average over 28 last year, and not one bowler who averaged less than 35 in Division Two, Leicestershire's expectations were at rock bottom coming into the campaign. Niall O'Brien, who made 971 championship runs at an average of 38.84 in 2014, is currently bowling along at 68.50. Mark Cosgrove and Ned Eckersley are averaging 49.40 and 47.33 respectively, and opener Angus Robson, who was so consistent last year with ten scores of fifty or more, already has a couple of half-centuries under his belt.

A few eyebrows were raised when Leicestershire signed Clint McKay, a limited-overs specialist, as their overseas player. But the 32-year-old all-rounder has made an immediate impact, alongside fellow Aussie and new signing Cosgrove, by taking 13 championship wickets at 22.23 runs apiece on top of averaging 31.50 with the bat. McKay's magic appears to have rubbed off on Charlie Shreck, who currently has 16 scalps. All the Foxes need now is for it to rub off on the rest of the attack - Ollie Freckingham, Ben Raine, Rob Taylor and off-spinner Jigar Naik.

Rory Burns is 80 shy of 3,000 first-class career runs. Of the Leicestershire contingent, Matthew Boyce looks set to make his 100th f-c appearance, while Mark Cosgrove (9,988) is closing in on 10,000 first-class runs.

Stuart Meaker is named in the squad for the third time this season, but is expected to miss out again following the news that both Gareth Batty (calf) and Chris Tremlett (hamstring) have regained full fitness. Sadly, the side strain Jade Dernbach picked up during Essex's visit to the Oval puts the 29-year-old seamer out of the picture.

Leicestershire have won the toss prior to 8 of the previous 9 four-day meetings between these two sides. Having made in excess of 236 in the first innings against the Foxes on 14 successive occasions, Surrey will not doubt fancy batting first should the coin land kindly for the hosts. The weather forecast suggests there will be no more than the occasional shower on day three, so I'm going for a first win of the season to Surrey.

A Robson, M Boyce, N Eckersley, M Cosgrove (capt), N Pinner, N O'Brien (wk), B Raine, C McKay, R Taylor, J Naik and C Shreck.

Paul Baldwin and Nigel Cowley.

GO TO:




BACK TO: