SURREY V SOMERSET at the Kia Oval (RCC)
25-28 APRIL 2025

Seventh plays host to eighth, which takes a little believing when you think everyone saw both of these sides as top four candidates. Surrey have drawn all three of their matches so far, while Somerset have lost to Sussex in-between drawing with Worcestershire and Hampshire.

If one were to sum up Surrey’s start to the season in a word, it would be 'frustrating'. Being on the wrong end of all three tosses hasn't helped the Oval outfit. While some are beginning to question their chances of making it four championship titles in a row, it's increasingly clear that, when the South Londoners travel away, opposing sides are opting for pitches that nullify Surrey's seam attack.

After four days at Hove over the Easter break produced just 20 wickets, Gareth Batty said: "The pitch was what we expected, people started doing it to us at the end of last year - very flat, docile, placid surfaces. We're a couple of bits of ammunition who might help us take 20 wickets down at the moment, but that's no excuse. We've had our opportunities, but you just need to play the perfect game to get a result. That perfect game is what everyone is striving for - we certainly are."

Migael Pretorious (7 wickets at 24.14 and 112 runs at 56.00) is proving an asset to Somerset as their overseas, while Kasey Aldridge and spinner Jack Leach have taken 9 and 10 wickets at an average of 33.22 and 32.50 respectively. But what hasn't helped the Cidermen is Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton struggling with niggling early season injuries.

Tom Banton has led the way with the bat thanks to recording the highest ever score by a Somerset batter - 371 against Worcestershire, who were also punished by James Rew (152) as the hosts racked up 670-7 declared in the opening round on a Taunton pitch that lost its zip as the match progressed. Former skipper Tom Abell is averaging 49.00.

Finally, congratulations to Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Dan Worrall for being named in Wisden as its five cricketers of the year. It isn’t the first time as many as three Surrey players have made the list. In 1958, Peter Loader, Arthur McIntyre and Micky Stewart were named alongside West Indians Collie Smith and Clyde Walcott.

Surrey v Somerset - First-Class Records Sheet

Ben Foakes goes into this contest with a combined 498 first-class career dismissals as both keeper and fielder, while, in terms of f-c wickets for Surrey, Kemar Roach and Dan Worrall are currently sitting on 97 and 144 victims respectively. Somerset's Kasey Aldridge (994) will start six runs shy of a thousand in first-class cricket.

Jamie Smith returns to the fold after being rested. Also included in the South Londoners' squad for this match are Kemar Roach (who sat out the draw at Hove), Cam Steel and James Taylor. Tom Lawes, whose first-class record at the Oval reads 44 wickets at 23.31, remains injured. Tom Curran and Chris Jordan are now participating in the Pakistan Super League, while Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Reece Topley are all on IPL duty until the end of May.

Surrey, who haven't lost to Somerset at the Oval in the Champo since 1995, look the stronger of the two sides. With the weather set fair, there's every expectation of achieving a positive outcome on a ground where the hosts have excelled in four-day cricket in recent seasons.

A.Vaughan, S.Dickson, T.Lammonby, T.Abell, T.Banton, J.Rew (wk), L.Gregory (capt), K.Aldridge, C.Overton, J.Leach and M.Pretorius.

Rob Bailey and Russell Warren.

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