SURREY LIONS V SOMERSET at the Kia Oval (CB40), 4 MAY 2012

Tomorrow marks the start of the Clydesdale Bank 40 and what better way to kick things off than a repeat of last year's final. Somerset have a superb record against Surrey in one-day cricket. The west country outfit have won 36 of their 53 List A meetings with the Lions, including eight of the last nine; the exception being last year's Lord's showpiece.

Even without Marcus Trescothick, who is likely to be sidelined with an ankle injury for the next six weeks, Somerset possess a potent batting line-up. Last summer, Jos Buttler averaged a ridiculous 137.00 on top of a strike rate of 133.44. Craig Kieswetter and this year's sensation Nick Compton also shone with the bat.

But, significantly, the Taunton-based outfit are without their leading wicket-taker in last season's CB40, Steve Kirby. In addition, the miserly Alfonso Thomas is on IPL duty and Vernon Philander, Somerset's overseas player, is resting a stiff back. So, unlike when these two sides met last, the promising George Dockrell and Lewis Gregory will get a chance to show what they are made of.

Click here for the Surrey v Somerset List A Records sheet as at the start of the 2012 season.


Matthew Spriegel is poised to make his 50th appearance in List A one-day cricket. For the visitors, the in form Nick Compton (with 2,441) is approaching 2,500 career runs in one-dayers.


Zafar Ansari is the surprise inclusion in Surrey's 13-man squad. The Cambridge University student impressed in both the CB40 and the T20 last term, so don't be surprised if he features; perhaps at the expense of Gareth Batty. Matthew Spriegel is also named. Spriegel is one of only three current players who have never missed a 40-over game for Surrey since making his debut.

OPPONENT DATE COMP RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Somerset 17 Sep 2011 NL Won By 5 Wickets Lord's 189-5 (27.3) 214 (39.2)
Sussex 4 Sep 2011 NL Won By 71 Runs The Oval 228-7 (24) 157 (22)
Durham 29 Aug 2011 NL Lost By 36 Runs The Oval 289 (36.3) 325-9 (40)
Leicestershire 21 Aug 2011 NL Won By 141 Runs Leicester 292-6 (40) 151 (25.5)
Warwickshire 17 Aug 2011 NL Won By 130 Runs Edgbaston 282-7 (40) 152 (29)


Under normal circumstances Surrey might fear Somerset, but the fact that they are defending their crown, playing in front of a home crowd and Somerset are lacking experience on the bowling front, the Lions should kick off their 2012 campaign with a victory. Surrey win.


N Compton, C Kieswetter (wk), P Trego, J Hildreth (capt), J Buttler, A Suppiah, C Meschede, L Gregory, M Waller, J Overton and G Dockrell.


Michael Gough and Steve O'Shaughnessy.

DATE COMP RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY SOMERSET
17 Sep 2011 NL Won By 5 Wickets Lord's Somerset Bat 189-5 (27.3) 214 (39.2)
29 Aug 2010 NL Lost By 64 Runs Taunton Surrey Field 227 (31.4) 290-6 (36)
25 Jul 2010 NL Lost By 94 Runs The Oval Somerset Bat 209 (35.1) 303-5 (40)
11 Sep 2007 NL Lost By 5 Runs The Oval Somerset Bat 253-9 (40) 258-9 (40)
10 Jun 2007 FPT Lost By 3 Wickets Bath Somerset Field 214-9 (50) 218-7 (47.5)
17 Sep 2006 NL Lost By 7 Wickets Taunton Surrey Bat 177-9 (40) 179-3 (20.3)
7 May 2006 C&G Lost By 26 Runs The Oval Surrey Field 253 (47.5) 279-5 (50)
28 Aug 2005 NL Lost By 5 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 237-7 (45) 238-5 (39.5)
2 May 2005 NL Lost By 99 Runs Taunton Surrey Field 226-9 (44) 325-6 (44)
28 May 2003 C&G Won By 6 Runs Taunton Somerset Field 281-6 (50) 275-9 (50)
21 Aug 2001 NL Lost By 4 Wickets Taunton Surrey Bat 236-8 (45) 237-6 (41)
10 Jun 2001 NL Lost By 8 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 68-5 (10) 69-2 (6.3)
14 Aug 1999 NWT Lost By 120 Runs Taunton Surrey Field 195 (43.3) 315-8 (50)
18 Jul 1999 NL Lost By 2 Wickets Guildford Surrey Bat 225-9 (45) 227-8 (43.2)
23 May 1999 NL Lost By 6 Wickets Taunton Somerset Field 184-9 (45) 185-4 (38.3)

GO TO:




BACK TO: