SURREY V WARWICKSHIRE at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 23-26 JUNE 2019

Seventh plays host to sixth. Since beating Surrey by 130 runs at Edgbaston just under a month ago, Warwickshire have added another victory - over Yorkshire - to their tally and they weren't a million miles away from turning over Nottinghamshire. The Oval outfit, meanwhile, are still seeking to break their duck in this year's County Championship, as well as awaiting their second win in all comps. On the plus side, prior to a taking a week off to recharge their batteries, Surrey did at least have the Yorkies following on at Guildford; and, while the South Londoners have let their standards slip, Notts (who have played a game more) appear to have even bigger problems.

Jeetan Patel has been immense for Warwickshire this season, as is underlined by his record of 40 championship wickets at 17.12 runs apiece. The New Zealand off-spinner has received the unfailing support of seamer Oliver Hannon-Dalby (22 victims at 21.86), but injuries to the remainder of the Bears' established seamers has forced them to recruit two left-armers, on loan, in the shape of Lancashire's Toby Lester and Yorkshire's James Wainman.

Warwickshire's batting has also relied on a handful of key personnel. Dominic Sibley (574 championship runs from 10 completed innings) is now the man the Bears' opponents want to prize out early. Sam Hain (38.62) has chipped in regularly, but even though Tim Ambrose and Adam Hose have made championship hundreds this season, both are averaging in the low twenties.

Surrey v Warwickshire - First-Class Records Sheet

If one or both of Toby Lester and James Wainman start, it will be their debuts for Warwickshire; and, for Wainman, a first-class debut. Staying with Warwickshire, Tim Ambrose currently has 698 f-c dismissals and Oliver Hannon-Dalby (146) is four poles away from his 150th first-class wicket. Surrey's Morne Morkel will go in with 1,963 runs and 545 wickets in the f-c arena.

Surrey have named the same 13-man squad that lined-up ahead of the Yorkshire clash at Guildford, which means, in effect, that Sam Curran, Jade Dernbach and Amar Virdi are still not considered match ready; although, curiously, all three played for the 2nd XI against MCC YCs in the week, with Curran junior and Dernbach sending down 17 and 12 overs apiece and Virdi twirling for 20.2 to produce figures of 4-57. The match ended in a draw - Surrey making 340-6d thanks primarily to Jamie Smith (119*) and Sam Curran (91) and the MCC YCs responding with 254-7. The former's hundred coming on the heels of an assured championship half-century against Yorkshire must surely give the Surrey management a decision to make, in terms of who makes way for the returning Rory Burns.

Interestingly, the last three meetings between these two have started with the visitors opting to bowl without the need for a coin. Surrey have now played 13 "uncontested toss" matches - their record reads 5 wins (all of them by an innings), 5 draws and 3 losses. Weather-wise, it's looking okay. The forecasters are saying Day 3 might see some drizzle, but, other than that, it will be warm and dry. Since the last meeting came down to spin, which, when it's supplied by Jeetan Patel, Surrey just can't live with, expect a pitch offering more for the seamers (especially as Warwickshire are without Brookes, Norwell, Sidebottom, Stone and Woakes). Patel's first-class record against the Oval outfit is 44 wickets at 21.68. If the hosts can nullify, they'll fancy their chances of making up for their below par showing at Edgbaston last month. Prediction - Surrey win (well, I've got to be right eventually!).

W.Rhodes, D.Sibley, R.Yates, S.Hain, A.Hose, M.Lamb, T.Ambrose (wk), C.Miles, J.Patel (capt), O.Hannon-Dalby and T.Lester.

James Middlebrook and Martin Saggers.

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