William Hill Sports
SURREY V NOTTINGHAMSHIRE at the Kia Oval (LVCC1), 4-7 SEPTEMBER 2012

Going by the Division One table, it's safe to assume Nottinghamshire will start this contest as favourites. But their recent form has taken a dip, Andre Adams - their leading wicket-taker - is out for the remainder of the campaign with a calf problem plus Alex Hales and Michael Lumb are only available for the first two days of this match, which they'll leave to join up with England's T20 squad. Throw in the absence of Samit Patel on international duty and Surrey might, actually, be fancying their chances.

The presence of 19-year-old off-spinning all-rounder Sam Wood in Nottinghamshire's ranks suggests the visitors are expecting a turning pitch at the Oval. Wood, who was in England's Under 19 World Cup squad and opens the batting for them, has just one first-class appearance under his belt, which came when he replaced Samit Patel during Notts' home game against Lancashire in last season's County Championship.

With Adams sidelined, the bowling will be more reliant on Ben Phillips (23 championship wickets at 26.39 runs apiece) and Luke Fletcher for Harry Gurney is averaging 36.47 runs per wicket, Graeme White 50.33 and Paul Franks 52.80.

Nottinghamshire have no such worries with the bat, however. Chris Read (819 championship runs at an average of 48.17) has enjoyed another fine season. Michael Lumb's move, from Hampshire, has proved a successful one. Riki Wessels is averaging 44.06 at the top of the order, while the promising duo of Alex Hales and James Taylor have, at times, underlined their potential. Whilst not having set the world alight, Adam Voges is another to be respected.


Stuart Meaker is two away from 50 first-class wickets for the season, while Kevin Pietersen (957) is closing in on 1,000 f-c runs for the campaign. For Notts, Michael Lumb (971) needs 29 more runs for his one thousandth in all first-class.


Surrey have named an unchanged squad, but assuming Steven Davies is over his upset stomach there's likely to be at least one change. Will he, however, replace Gary Wilson, as everyone expects?

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Somerset 28-31 Aug 2012 Match Drawn Taunton 317 & 360-5d 294
Middlesex 15-18 Aug 2012 Won By 8 Runs The Oval 144 & 341 232 & 245
Durham 7-9 Aug 2012 Lost By An Inns & 38 Runs The Riverside 129 & 143 310
Warwickshire 27-30 Jul 2012 Match Drawn Edgbaston 286 & 202-3 571
Nottinghamshire 18-21 Jul 2012 Match Drawn Trent Bridge 252-6 328


Surrey have got to believe they can do it, especially with Lancashire facing Middlesex, who now have nothing to play for. Wins for both Lancashire and Surrey this week will preserve the status quo. But if Lancs win and Surrey slip up, next week's clash at Liverpool becomes huge. I'm reluctant to predict a Surrey win here, in case it comes back to haunt me, and them, but, if anything, they're probably the stronger of the two teams on paper.


R Wessels, A Hales, M Lumb, J Taylor, A Voges, C Read (capt, wk), S Wood, P Franks, B Phillips, L Fletcher and A Carter.


To follow...

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY NOTTS
18-21 Jul 2012 Match Drawn Trent Bridge Surrey Field 252-6 328
17-19 Sep 2008 Lost By An Inns & 143 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 267 & 122 532
11-14 Jul 2008 Match Drawn Trent Bridge Notts Field 403 218 & 372-6
26-29 Jul 2005 Match Drawn Trent Bridge Surrey Bat 136 & 292-6d 226 & 169-8
6-9 May 2005 Lost By An Inns & 71 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 217 & 404 692-7d
13-15 Aug 2003 Won By An Inns & 211 Runs Whitgift Sch Surrey Bat 693 240 & 242
9-11 May 2003 Won By An Inns & 6 Runs Trent Bridge Notts Bat 393 211 & 176
1-2 Sep 1999 Won By 10 Wickets The Oval Notts 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 Notts Bat 128-4d & 53-0 446-9d & Forfeited
20-24 Jul 1995 Won By 171 Runs Guildford Notts Field 239 & 528-9d 324 & 272
21-23 Jul 1994 Won By An Inns & 231 Runs Trent Bridge Notts 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 Notts Field 333-4d & 219-7d 201-2d & 352-7

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