SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 7-10 APRIL 2017

One preview I saw, covering Warwickshire's prospects for the coming season, described the Bears' championship cricket as possessing a "nagging sense of stagnation." For a line-up that includes some big names, some that many a side would bite Warwickshire's hand off to sign, that seems a bit unkind. However, you could argue that, for most of their leading lights, their best years appear to be behind them. Also, if one looks beyond the Bears' first choice eleven, you do start to wonder whether there is sufficient depth to overcome a spate of injuries. Boyd Rankin (back), Olly Stone (anterior cruciate ligament) and Ian Westwood (left foot) begin the campaign on the physio's bench, but all, it could be argued, are not central figures. England all-rounder Chris Woakes (currently appearing in the IPL) is conspicuous by his absence, though.

The trump cards in Warwickshire's deck are Keith Barker and Jeetan Patel, who, between them, sent down very nearly half the overs bowled by the Bears in last year's championship. Off-spinner Patel, who continues as primary overseas player, took 69 wickets at 24.02 runs apiece, backed up by Barker's 59 at an average of 23.13. Rikki Clarke and Chris Wright - the latter when fit - proved to be a pretty decent support cast. But, other than Jonathan Trott (975 runs at 44.31 last term) and the former England keeper-batsman Tim Ambrose no one on show for Warwickshire over the next four days managed to average 35-plus in 2016.  

Surrey v Warwickshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Scott Borthwick goes into his first championship appearance for Surrey with 196 first-class career wickets under his belt, while Warwickshire's Oliver Hannon-Dalby appears to be on the verge of his 50th f-c outing. His previous 49 have brought 98 first-class wickets, while fellow seamer Chris Wright requires one more for 350. Banks, Panayi and Thornton, all of whom are listed in the visitors squad will, should they play, be making their first-class debut.

Surrey have named newcomers Scott Borthwick and Mark Stoneman in their 13-man squad for tomorrow, along with Jade Dernbach, who, astonishingly, has not played championship cricket since Bristol in August 2015. The full line-up reads as follows: Gareth Batty (captain), Zafar Ansari, Scott Borthwick, Rory Burns, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Jade Dernbach, Ben Foakes (wk), Mark Footitt, Stuart Meaker, Kumar Sangakkara, Dominic Sibley and Mark Stoneman.

Now, let me see... Surrey have triumphed in just one of their last 14 County Championship curtain-raisers. Their last opening game success came against Sussex in 2012. Furthermore, Warwickshire haven't lost at the Oval over four days since 1998. To be fair, only half of the corresponding fixtures since have been contested in SE11 (Guildford has played host to three and Whitgift School one). Having said all that, on paper at least, Surrey have the edge for me. With the weather forecast set fair, this promises to be a fascinating contest. Prediction - victory for the hosts, with no quarter being given by the visiting Bears.

W.Porterfield, A.Mellor, J.Trott, I.Bell (capt), S.Hain, T.Ambrose (wk), R.Clarke, K.Barker, J.Patel, C.Wright and O.Hannon-Dalby.

Richard Illingworth and Billy Taylor.

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