SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE at the AMP Oval (CC1), 30 APRIL - 3 MAY 2003

When Surrey have won against Warwickshire in recent years they have won big, with three innings victories coming in the last six meetings between these two sides. But as the Bears proved when they visited The Oval last summer they are certainly capable of causing the odd surprise. Not only did that victory come after Warwickshire were invited to follow-on, it also represented the visitors first championship victory at The Oval for 27 years.

The odds are against them doing it on this occasion, due mainly to a batting line-up that is yet to find much form.  Nick Knight, who effectively announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday, is averaging just 22.66.  The left-handed opener has also been troubled by a growth in his right knee and will undergo surgery next week.  The much-vaunted Ian Bell and Dominic Ostler have also struggled.  Much will rest, therefore, on the shoulders of Jim Troughton and Mark Wagh.

As the case of Tony Frost proves Warwickshire are not alone in asking their wicketkeeper to open the batting as well.  That said, the 27-year-old has performed creditably in the absence of injured skipper Michael Powell, making 76 runs in three innings.  The bowling attack has been hit by injuries too.  Michael Clark, an Australian fast bowler, who, it was intended would act as cover until Shane Bond fulfilled his commitments to New Zealand, is sidelined with a groin strain while fellow left-armer Neil Carter is out with an injured back.

That leaves Alan Richardson, who missed both encounters with Surrey last season, to lead the attack alongside Melvyn Betts who has benefited from remodelling his action and is the Bears' leading wicket-taker after two matches.  Dougie Brown and spinner Ashley Giles offer support. 

A good pitch is more of a guarantee than the weather, unfortunately.  If the clouds stay away, however, it is difficult to see Warwickshire beating a group of world-class cricketers all fighting to keep their place in the Surrey side. 

With calls from some quarters for Mark Butcher to be loaned out in order to give England's number three a game it will be interesting to see what the selection policy will be with everyone fit and available. As is evident from a recent thread on the Oval World messageboard, picking a Surrey eleven is far from easy.  Whatever happens the side will probably be a controversial one with a handful of players being asked to accept that the team comes first.

N Knight, T Frost (wk), M Wagh, I Bell, J Troughton, D Ostler, D Brown, A Giles (capt), M Betts, M Sheikh and A Richardson.

27-30 Aug 2002	Match Drawn	Edgbaston
10-13 Jul 2002	Lost By 31 Runs	The Oval
21-23 Jul 1999	Won By An Innings & 123 Runs	Edgbaston
23-27 Apr 1998	Won By An Innings & 49 Runs	The Oval
2-5 Jul 1997	Lost By 5 Wickets	Edgbaston
29-31 Aug 1996	Won By An Innings & 164 Runs	The Oval
4-8 May 1995	Lost By 91 Runs	Edgbaston
14-18 Jul 1994	Lost By 256 Runs	Guildford
17-18 Jun 1993	Won By 8 Wickets	Edgbaston
17-20 Jul 1992	Match Drawn	Guildford
6-8 Aug 1991	Won By 67 Runs	Edgbaston
7-10 Jul 1990	Won By 168 Runs	The Oval

GO TO:




BACK TO: