There can be no doubt that, on the field, Horsham was the low point of Surrey's season in 2012. So, since Sussex have opened their account with a resounding victory over Yorkshire at Headingley, the Martlets are sure to be heading to the capital in high spirits; especially with England's Matt Prior on board.

The good news from a Surrey perspective is Sussex haven't tasted success at the Oval in the County Championship since 1994. On that occasion, Franklyn Stephenson skittled out the hosts for 195 and 115 - with a match aggregate 11 for 82 - either side of the slowest-ever championship half-century, courtesy of Jamie Hall. Surrey's stand-out performer was Graham Thorpe, who made 71 and 26.

Fast forward to 2013 and there's a familiar look to Sussex, who are likely to have four former Surrey players on show. Three of them - Anyon, Jordan and Magoffin - were responsible for taking all 20 Yorkshire wickets a fortnight ago. And to think that when they played for the Oval outfit, Surrey struggled with the ball!

With the bat, Chris Nash (80), Ed Joyce (92) and Ben Brown (93) all filled their boots up at Headingley. The only real worry, for the Martlets, is the form of Michael Yardy, who made a pair against Loughborough MCCU and has only hit 30 or more in three of his last 20 completed innings in the County Championship.

Of the Surrey contingent, Rory Burns has 891 first-class runs to his name while Jade Dernbach looks set to make his 75th appearance in f-c cricket. For Sussex, James Anyon starts tomorrow's game with 245 first-class wickets and Rory Hamilton-Brown is 47 runs away from 3,000 f-c career runs.

With Stuart Meaker nursing a thigh strain, Surrey are likely to make at least one change to the side that drew with Somerset. Chris Tremlett fronts the queue of back-up seamers, but it would no surprise to see Tim Linley pressed into action at the expense of Gary Keedy, who took one for 116 in the South Londoner's first outing.

The weather forecast suggests this will be equivalent to a three-day encounter, so, if the pitch is as unresponsive as last week's, expect another draw. However, I've a sneaking suspicion that Surrey wouldn't mind a strip that helps the likes of Tremlett. Furthermore, both sides have a bit of tail - despite evidence at Horsham to the contrary - so a positive outcome one way or the other could be on the cards. My head says Sussex, but my heart says Surrey. Go on then... a win for Graeme Smith's men.

C Nash, L Wells, M Yardy, E Joyce (capt), R Hamilton-Brown, B Brown, M Prior (wk), C Jordan, S Magoffin, J Anyon and M Panesar.

Nigel Cowley and Ian Gould.

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