SURREY V NOTTINGHAMSHIRE at the Brit Oval (FCC1), 6-9 MAY 2005

Nottinghamshire have only won one match of significance so far this season, but it was a right old thumping of Sussex, who Surrey also out-battled; though not to the degree that the Trent Bridge outfit did last week. In two championship matches, five Notts batsmen have hit hundreds, so if you ask an Outlaws supporter about Kevin Pietersen, their response might justifiably be something along the lines of: "Kevin who?"

But Nottinghamshire have not beaten the Ovalites since scoring a double over them in 1992 and they have not made more than 250 in the last five meetings between these two sides. That said, Jason Gallian (266 championship runs at 88.66), free from the shackles of captaincy, and Aussie import David Hussey (264 @ 88.00), the man who picks up almost as many speeding tickets as runs, have both started the 2005 campaign with a bang. Thanks to three hundreds, Gallian has averaged 58.00 against Surrey over the course of his f-c career.

Ryan Sidebottom (8 championship wickets at an average of 22.37), Greg Smith and Graeme Swann form the core of Nottinghamshire's four-day attack. However, Swann has suffered at Surrey's hands in the past. His six f-c wickets against them have come at a cost of 61.83 runs apiece.

Martin Bicknell's career record against Notts reads 46 wickets at an average of 18.13. Plus, in all competitions, he has dismissed his older brother Darren four out of seven times.


Very difficult. With the promise of four full days of cricket, whoever wins of the toss will have an immediate advantage. But, based on what Surrey followers have seen of Graeme Swann in the past, they will feel they are better equipped if the pitch does turn as time goes on. If Nayan Doshi can continue advancing his credentials, Surrey will win, but the rest of the Ovalites' attack are coming back from injuries (in the main) and the toss and needs to be won.


Rumours that this match would see Harbhajan Singh make his Surrey debut proved wide of the mark - the player and the club are still awaiting a final report from the ICC on the validity of his bowling action. That apart, Surrey's XI shows now real surprises. With Akram, Bicknell, Clarke and Doshi fit again the bowling has a much more familiar look about it, whilst the batting is in even better shape. Mind you, the acting skipper is still getting over the fractured toe he picked up on the pavilion steps at Taunton and Graham Thorpe is nursing a sore back. Out with injury for the foreseeable are Mark Butcher, Azhar Mahmood, Ian Salisbury and Tim Murtagh and Phil Sampson.


J Gallian, D Bicknell, A Singh, S Fleming (capt), D Hussey, C Read (wk), M Ealham, P Franks, G Swann, G Smith and R Sidebottom.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY NOTTS
13-15 Aug 2003 Won By An Innings & 211 Runs Whitgift School Surrey Bat 693 240 & 242
9-11 May 2003 Won By An Innings & 6 Runs Trent Bridge Nottinghamshire Bat 393 211 & 176
1-2 Sep 1999 Won By 10 Wickets The Oval Nottinghamshire Bat 199 & 153-0 115 & 233
19-21 Aug 1998 Won By 7 Wickets Trent Bridge Surrey Field 270 & 72-3 213 & 125
27-30 Jun 1997 Won By 131 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 201-9d & 123-6d 73-1d & 120
22-26 Aug 1996 Match Drawn Trent Bridge Nottinghamshire Bat 128-4d & 53-0 446-9d & Forfeited
20-24 Jul 1995 Won By 171 Runs Guildford Nottinghamshire Field 239 & 528-9d 324 & 272
21-23 Jul 1994 Won By An Innings & 231 Runs Trent Bridge Nottinghamshire Bat 604-4d 125 & 248
29-31 Jul 1993 Won By 3 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 228 & 147-7 68 & 306
7-10 Sep 1992 Lost By 5 Wickets Trent Bridge Surrey Bat 207 & 411 357 & 262-5
21-23 Jul 1992 Lost By 3 Wickets The Oval Nottinghamshire Field 333-4d & 219-7d 201-2d & 352-7
4-6 Jun 1991 Match Drawn The Oval Nottinghamshire Field 302-3d & 221-1d 250-2d & 33-1
20-22 Jun 1990 Match Drawn Trent Bridge Surrey Field 303-3d 100 & 307

GO TO:




BACK TO: