SURREY BROWN CAPS v SUSSEX SHARKS at the Brit Oval (C&G Trophy), 30 APRIL 2006

Both teams go into their first C&G Trophy outings of the new season on the back of convincing successes in the County Championship. When they met in limited-overs cricket last summer, Sussex were victorious on all three occasions. But, for the team that won Division Two of the National League in 2005, there are a number of reasons why they could struggle to maintain that run if the weather holds off at the Brit Oval tomorrow.

With Matt Prior under instructions, from Duncan Fletcher, to rest until 1 May, Surrey's former reserve wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd will be filling in for the man who made more runs in one-day cricket than any other Sussex player last term. On top of that, James Kirtley and Mark Davis - two more limited-overs stalwarts for the Sharks - will also be missing from the visitors' line-up. Kirtley is struggling for form after having to remodel his bowling action, while Davis has retired to concentrate on the Assistant Coach's role.

The key for Surrey would appear to be knocking over Chris Adams - who made an unbeaten 110 when these two sides met last - Murray Goodwin and Richard Montgomerie before they can establish themselves. Much would also appear to be on the shoulders of Carl Hopkinson, a promising 24-year-old batsman, who has only made two one-day half centuries in thirty-six visits to the crease for the Sussex, and who could be asked to open in Prior's absence.

Amongst Surrey's ranks only James Benning (934 List A runs) is on the verge of achieving a one-day milestone.   

The home side are likely to give Jade Dernbach and Stewart Walters their first run outs of the season. James Benning, who scored a one-day hundred against the Sharks in a pre-season game down at Hove, should also be recalled to the first eleven after tucking into Durham UCCE's bowling attack so amply over Easter. Jimmy Ormond and Ian Salisbury will definitely be missing, while Martin Bicknell and Mohammad Akram continue to be sidelined with groin injuries. 

If the weather allows enough time to be played, the Brown Caps will not get a better chance of beating the Sussex Sharks this season due to the absence of Matt Prior.

R Montgomerie, C Hopkinson, C Adams (capt), M Goodwin, M Yardy, A Hodd (wk), Naved-ul-Hasan, L Wright, R Martin-Jenkins, Mushtaq Ahmed and J Lewry.

Richard Illingworth and Peter Willey.

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