SURREY V MIDDLESEX at Guildford (CC1), 23-26 JULY 2003

Since these two sides met at Lord's at the end of June, Middlesex have decamped to Southgate where they beat Leicestershire by eight wickets and managed to salvage a draw against Warwickshire. So, tomorrow's visitors know all about playing on so-called out-grounds. That said, Surrey have won on their last eight championship visits to Guildford. Furthermore they have not lost to their North London rivals since 1995, when Mark Ramprakash made the small matter of 214 runs.

Of course Ramprakash has subsequently switched allegiances and his former team-mates will be pleased to know that he averages just 11.25 at the Woodbridge Road ground. In fact Middlesex would do better to target Ian Ward, who, in addition to leading the home side, averages a healthy 72.16 at Guildford and, of course, made a superb 104 at the home of cricket four weeks ago.

Tomorrow's visitors have four batsmen in their ranks currently averaging over 45 in this season's championship. Three of them have enjoyed hundreds since Surrey and Middlesex last did battle. The only man to miss out - as he has done all summer in fact - was Sven Koenig, who averages 48.46 despite not having reached three figures. Top of the pile is Ben Hutton (630 runs at an average of 63.00), who top scored against the Oval outfit at Lord's last month and goes into this encounter with a match-saving century against Warwickshire under his belt.

Middlesex's weakness in the bowling department has not been helped by the form of their overseas signings Abdul Razzaq, who averages 41.00 in the championship, and Ashley Noffke, who is surprisingly lagging behind with 13 wickets at 42.84 runs apiece.  26-year-old seamer Simon Cook has, therefore, been recalled to the squad and could either oust Jamie Dalrymple, who made a pair in the last match against Warwickshire, or possibly one of the aforementioned big wage-earners.


With rain said to be a near certainty for Friday, it could all come down to who gets off to the best start tomorrow. Nevertheless, based on recent visits to Guildford, not to mention the strength of the batting on show, it will take a special performance for one of these two sides to achieve victory in just three day's play. It will be a major upset, therefore, if Middlesex were to come out on top. Prediction: a draw or, if time allows, a win for the Oval outfit.


Adam Hollioake and Azhar Mahmood are both reported to be doubtful and Alex Tudor is said to be putting up with a "minor niggle", so, with Mark Butcher and Alec Stewart on Test duty as well, Ian Ward seems set to lead a much changed Surrey side - not that Keith Medlycott will be short of class names to put on the team sheet.


A Strauss (capt), S Koenig, J Dalrymple, O Shah, B Hutton, E Joyce, Abdul Razzaq, P Weekes, D Nash (wk), A Noffke and C Keegan.


AGAINST MIDDLESEX:
27-30 Jun 2003 Match Drawn Lord's
9-12 Sep 1999 Match Drawn Lord's
15-17 Jul 1998 Won By 280 Runs Guildford
15-17 Aug 1997 Won By An Innings & 125 Runs Lord's
4-8 Jul 1996 Won By 7 Wickets The Oval
29 Jun - 3 Jul 1995 Lost By An Innings & 76 Runs Lord's
25-29 Aug 1994 Lost By 2 Wickets The Oval
24-28 Jun 1993 Lost By 4 Wickets Lord's
12-15 Sep 1992 Match Drawn The Oval
23-26 May 1992 Match Drawn Lord's
10-13 Sep 1991 Lost By 60 Runs Lord's
20-22 Aug 1991 Match Drawn The Oval
12-15 Sep 1990 Match Drawn The Oval
23-25 May 1990 Match Drawn Lord's

AT GUILDFORD:
Yorkshire 24-27 Jul 2002 Won By 6 Wickets
Northamptonshire 18-20 Jul 2001 Won By An Innings & 55 Runs
Leicestershire 19-21 Jul 2000 Won By 10 Wickets
Hampshire 14-17 Jul 1999 Won By 156 Runs
Middlesex 15-17 Jul 1998 Won By 280 Runs
Hampshire 16-19 Jul 1997 Won By 9 Wickets
Sussex 17-20 Jul 1996 Won By 135 Runs
Nottinghamshire 20-24 Jul 1995 Won By 171 Runs
Warwickshire 14-18 Jul 1994 Lost By 256 Runs
Gloucestershire 15-17 Jul 1993 Won By An Innings & 66 Runs
Warwickshire 17-20 Jul 1992 Match Drawn
Kent 14-16 Jul 1992 Lost By 72 Runs
Yorkshire 19-22 Jul 1991 Won By 1 Wicket
Gloucestershire 16-18 Jul 1991 Won By 2 Wickets
Kent 21-24 Jul 1990 Match Drawn
Sussex 18-20 Jul 1990 Lost By 7 Wickets

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