SURREY V SOMERSET at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 24-27 APRIL 2016

Somerset have finished sixth in Division One in each of the last three seasons. But for hundreds in both innings from Durham’s Keaton Jennings, the Cidermen might have had the better of their curtain-raiser up at Chester-le-Street. As we know, though, despite fighting back strongly at Trent Bridge, it wasn't enough for Surrey to turn the tide against a Notts side that has since gone on to lose to Lancashire.

An over-dependence, in 2015, on James Hildreth and Marcus Trescothick making the runs for Somerset has resulted in the acquisition of Australia's Chris Rogers, who has taken over from Trescothick as captain. Peter Trego apart, it was an all too familiar story by Somerset's batsmen against Durham a fortnight ago. Indeed, 2016 could well be a big season for both 22-year old opener Tom Abell, who managed a solitary championship century last term, and the veteran Jim Allenby, who averaged just 21.84 with the bat and a disappointing 36.50 with the ball.

Lewis Gregory, Tim Groenewald and Craig Overton (who missed the Durham clash due to suspension) now share Somerset's new ball duties. The hope is recent signing Roelof van der Merwe will provide the spin threat that, at one time, appeared to be under George Dockrell's control. Van der Merwe, who has represented the Netherlands on 34 occasions, doesn't have a record that suggests he will any more effective than his predecessor. However, with a first-class batting average of 36.77, the 31-year-old could well make up for it with the willow.

Steven Davies (9,963) is closing in on 10,000 first-class career runs, while Rory Burns (3,974) is 26 shy of the 4,000-mark and Matt Dunn currently has 95 f-c wickets. Mathew Pillans, who is named in the Surrey squad for the first time, will be making his County Championship debut if he starts.

Surrey have named a 14-man squad, which includes Zafar Ansari, Matt Dunn, Mathew Pillans and Gary Wilson. With Sam Curran (who has returned to Wellington College) unavailable for four-day cricket between now and the end of June, at least one of the aforementioned quartet will make their first championship appearance of the new campaign.

It's April, which means the first consideration is the weather. Now, let me see... oh dear... oh dear, oh dear... mmm... the forecasters are saying rain will affect days one and two of not only this match, but also Durham's visit next week. It really does go to show the folly of reducing next year's County Championship schedule from 16 to 14 matches per side. At least, for one more season, a weather-affected match will only account for 6.25% of the campaign. In 2017, it'll be 7.14%. Anyway, what I'm wandering around the houses to say is I doubt this clash will see enough action to produce a positive outcome. Prediction - draw.

M.Trescothick, T.Abell, C.Rogers (capt), J.Hildreth, J.Allenby, R.van der Merwe, P.Trego, R.Davies (wk), L.Gregory, C.Overton and T.Groenewald.

Paul Baldwin and Richard Illingworth. Of the joint total of 11 County Championship games involving Surrey, in which Baldwin and Illingworth have officiated, just one has ended in a draw. Combined leg-before-o-meter: 18.4% of dismissals.

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