Sixth plays host to second and there is already a 39-point gulf, just six games into the campaign, between the two sides.

Worcestershire will arrive at the Oval tomorrow bang in form. Led by Saeed Ajmal, who has taken 28 championship wickets at 13.60 runs apiece to date, the Pears' strength is unquestionably their bowling. Gareth Andrew took 20 at 15.95 before being struck down with a back injury, but in his absence Jack Shantry (19 scalps at an average of 21.05) and 23-year-old Joe Leach have more than compensated.

With the bat, skipper Daryl Mitchell has been in sublime form, scoring 700 championship runs at a phenomenal 116.66 average, including three centuries. Mooen Ali is currently averaging 52.25 with the willow while Cox, Kervezee and Pardoe have made up the supporting cast.

Surrey's Gary Wilson is poised to make his 50th first-class appearance, while Worcestershire's Ben Cox stands on 925 f-c career runs.

The hosts will be without an overseas player since Graeme Smith has had to withdraw with a knee injury and his replacement, Hashim Amla, has a prior engagement with Cricket South Africa. Tom Curran and Dominic Sibley are also missing, owing to their A-Level exams, but Vikram Solanki looks set to make his first appearance of the summer following an extended period of leave. The bowling sees Jade Dernbach return. Neither Tim Linley or Stuart Meaker will feature, though, since both are nursing side strains.

Five of the last six meetings between these two sides have ended in a draw. With the weather forecast looking none too promising for days three and especially day four a positive outcome could well be difficult to achieve. But should the rain stay away, the form Worcestershire's bowling attack is in at the moment, one would have to make the New Road outfit favourites. Verdict - a weather affected draw.

D Mitchell (capt), M Pardoe, M Ali, T Fell, A Kervezee, R Whiteley, B Box (wk), J Leach, J Shantry, Saeed Ajmal and C Morris.

Richard Kettleborough and Alex Wharf.

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