SURREY V SUSSEX at the Kia Oval (Royal London One-Day Cup), 29 MAY 2018

Eighth in the South Group plays host to fifth, both sides having thus far won as many games as they've lost. With Surrey currently nursing the worst net run rate in the group, every match from now on is as good as a must-win for the Oval outfit. But the encouraging news from the hosts' perspective is that, with the games against (the two form sides) Hampshire and Somerset out of the way, it's very much in their own hands.

Sussex are a team that punches above its weight, so the return from the IPL of both Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan make them a tricky proposition. It will be interesting to see which bowlers miss out to accommodate them. It might even be Ollie Robinson (9 Royal London wickets at 20.00 apiece) and slow left-armer Danny Briggs (8 wickets at 22.00), the two leading wicket-takers.

The Martlets' batting is headed by Luke Wright, who has raced to 165 runs at an average of 55.00 in three Royal London innings, and with Harry Finch (42.00), Ben Brown (35.00), Laurie Evans (42.33), Michael Burgess (34.66) and David Wiese (72.00) to come, no bowling attack can breath a sigh of relief until Sussex are at least seven down in this competition.

Surrey v Sussex - List A Records Sheet

Assuming they both play, Scott Borthwick will be making his 100th List A appearance while Morne Morkel will be making his Surrey debut.

Despite Dean Elgar's stint as Surrey's overseas coming to an end (with a brilliant 87 against Essex that included 4 sixes), the Oval outfit's squad for tomorrow's visit by Sussex would have most counties purring with anticipation. Mark Stoneman, dropped by England, and Tom Curran (IPL) both return, while Morne Morkel looks set to make his Surrey debut; having now recovered from the side strain he picked up during his final Test for South Africa, at the beginning of last month.

Fingers crossed the rain stays away, as one point apiece doesn't really benefit either side at the moment. The manner in which Surrey disposed of Essex two days ago bordered on clinical, but, as I say, a Sussex line-up that includes Archer and Jordan has to be taken seriously. Surrey look a far better outfit chasing down a target and, if there is rain around, it would be a big plus if they won the toss and fielded first. Prediction - whoever bats last wins.

L.Wells, L.Wright, H.Finch, B.Brown (capt, wk), L.Evans, M.Burgess, D.Wiese, J.Archer, C.Jordan, D.Briggs and I.Sharma.

Richard Illingworth and Jeremy Lloyds.

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