SURREY V SUSSEX at Guildford (Royal London One-Day Cup), 14 JUNE 2016

Six out of the last seven one-day matches at Guildford have been won by the side chasing down a target. But, even more significant, is tomorrow's weather forecast, which does not bode well for these sides, both of whom need two points from this fixture, not one, if they are to be in the top four when the dust settles on the Royal London One-Day Cup South Group at the beginning of August.

Sussex have the solitary win, over Middlesex yesterday (Sunday), to Surrey's none. A lack of runs has so far held the Sharks back. Only Luke Wright (130 RLODC runs at an average of 43.33), Ed Joyce (104 from two innings), Philip Salt and Ross Taylor have displayed any real form with the willow. However, Taylor has tweaked a hamstring, which means South African all-rounder David Wiese comes into the reckoning for the first time in the Royal London.

Wiese will add verve to what was already a handy-looking Sussex bowling attack. Chris Jordan (I think we all remember him, don't we?) has taken 7 wickets at 17.14 runs apiece in this season's One-Day Cup. Will Beer's leg-breaks haven't only broken partnerships, they've also brought control, and Danny Briggs has been just as economical as when he was plying his trade with Hampshire. Keep an eye out for George Garton, the Sharks' 19-year-old left-arm seamer.

Surrey v Sussex - List A Records Sheet

None of any significance would appear to be on the horizon.

If it doesn't rain, it pours. Dominic Sibley has now joined Surrey's list of walking wounded, after injuring his back during last Friday's T20 defeat to Somerset at Taunton. Steven Davies is therefore expected to regain his place at the top of Surrey's one-day batting order. James Burke, Ben Foakes and Ravi Rampaul are also named in the Oval outfit's 13-man squad.

It's impossible to ignore the weather forecast tomorrow, which says that rain will be arriving around midday and is set to intensify thereafter. If we do get a game, another defeat for either of these two sides could put the kibosh on their chances of securing a top four finish in the South Group - the requirement to advance to the quarter-finals. The key, for Surrey, will be taking wickets at regular intervals because Sussex, on paper at least, bat all the way down to number eight. With Ravi Rampaul back, they might just do it. Prediction - a rare success at Guildford, if the weather holds.

C.Nash, L.Wright (capt), P.Salt, E.Joyce, H.Finch, B.Brown (wk), D.Wiese, C.Jordan, W.Beer, G.Garton and D.Briggs.

Michael Burns and David Millns.

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