SURREY V SOMERSET at the Kia Oval (VCC)
12-15 APRIL 2024

The defending champions play host to Somerset, who finished seventh in Division One last term. Both sides enter the second week of the new campaign having had the better of weather-affected opening round draws, with Lancashire and Kent respectively.

Somerset will be hoping their batters can make more of an impact in red-ball cricket than they did in 2023. Only keeper-batter James Rew (1,086 championship runs at an average of 57.15) and Kasey Aldridge (451 at 41.00) did themselves justice in last season's Champo; although Lewis Goldsworthy shone when he got the chance in the closing weeks.

Matt Renshaw, who has represented Australia in 14 Tests, has been brought in as one of the overseas to bolster the top order; while, with the ball, Somerset have just announced the signing of 29-year-old South African Migael Pretorius, who averages 25.83 in first-class cricket on top of boasting a 27.95 batting average.

The Cidermen also welcome back Craig Overton, who had back surgery over the winter and missed last week's curtain-raiser in an effort to manage his workload. New skipper Lewis Gregory, with just 34 wickets (average 21.55) was Somerset's leading wicket-taker in last year's County Championship. He was also the pick of the attack last week against Kent; in a game where England spinner Shoaib Bashir was deemed surplus to requirements, which raised more than a few eyebrows.

Surrey v Somerset - First-Class Records Sheet

Somerset's Sean Dickson looks set to make his 100th first-class appearance. Migael Pretorius is also expected to make his county debut for the west country outfit.

The only addition to the squad that travelled to Manchester is Gus Atkinson, who sat out week one at the ECB's request.

Weather-wise, the first three days look set fair. Sadly, the same can't be said for day four. Like Surrey, Somerset are capable of making late-order runs, so the key will be wrapping up the tail when the opportunity arises. Prediction - this could be tougher than it looks on paper for Surrey, but if the hosts play to their potential, they should enjoy the better of the exchanges.

M.Renshaw, S.Dickson, T.Lammonby, L.Goldsworthy, T.Banton, J.Rew (wk), L.Gregory (capt), K.Aldridge, M.Pretorius, J.Davey and C.Overton.

Richard Kettleborough and Martin Saggers.

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