SURREY V YORKSHIRE at the Kia Oval (SSCC1), 11-14 MAY 2018

Fifth plays host to third. Since opening their account with a victory over Hampshire, Surrey have been on the wrong end of two draws. Yorkshire, on the other hand, are fresh from creating a bit of history, by posting the sixth lowest first innings total to win a championship match. That 91-run victory over the defending champions Essex put the Yorkies top of Division One temporarily.

As it has been for most teams, early season runs have been in short supply for Yorkshire, which is why Harry Brooks's 229 at an average of 38.16 really stands out. Keep an eye on the 19-year-old opener - he could be be a good-un. Jack Leaning and Gary Ballance, who are averaging 25.50 and 22.83 respectively have had their moments, but the rest of the Tykes' regular  top order are yet to put down a marker.

Talked of as an outside bet for England recognition this summer, 24-year-old Ben Coad has already taken 23 championship wickets, at an average of 13.95. With Tim Bresnan, Jack Brooks and Steven Patterson also amongst the wickets, Yorkshire should not have any problem bowling sides out twice if the conditions are conducive to seam; which is why Lee Fortis and his team are probably doing everything in their power to prepare a strip for this game that will turn.

Surrey v Yorkshire - First-Class Records Sheet


Rikki Clarke will start with 9,976 first-class runs to his name and Sam Curran with 94 f-c wickets to his. Turning to the visitors' line-up Jack Brooks has 399 first-class wickets and, should he play, left-arm seamer James Wainman will be making his f-c debut; having thus far only seen white-ball action for the White Rose.


Jade Dernbach (rested last week) looks set to return, but Matt Dunn (fractured rib, suffered when batting against Hampshire) and Morne Morkel (side strain) are both ruled out still. With Tom Curran seemingly surplus to the Kolkata Knight Riders' requirements, expect Conor McKerr either to keep his place or for the hosts to go with two front-line off-spinners, in the shape of Gareth Batty and Amar Virdi.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Worcestershire 4-7 May 2018 Match Drawn The Oval 434 & 173-3d 526
Lancashire 27-30 Apr 2018 Match Drawn Old Trafford 235 & 199-6 439-9d
Hampshire 20-23 Apr 2018 Won By 139 Runs The Oval 211 & 407-9d 147 & 332
Lancashire 25-28 Sep 2017 Lost By 7 Wickets Old Trafford 201-8d & 242 268 & 179-3
Somerset 19-22 Sep 2017 Won By 6 Wickets The Oval 433 & 146-4 269 & 306


Given that not only have Surrey failed to beat Yorkshire in the County Championhip since 2002, and that Bairstow and Root are available for the visitors, this will be a stern test; especially for a Surrey bowling attack that can only really rely on Rikki Clarke and Amar Virdi based on recent evidence. The weather forecast suggests rain could well make an appearance on day two, but not enough to rule out the possibility of a result. My head tells me Yorkshire to win, if the weather doesn't.


A.Lyth, H.Brook, C.Pujara, J.Root, G.Ballance (capt), J.Bairstow (wk), J.Leaning, T.Bresnan, S.Patterson, J.Brooks and B.Coad.


David Millns and Mark Saggers.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY YORKS
12-15 Sep 2017 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 592 394 & 281-2
26-29 Jun 2017 Match Drawn Headingley Surrey Bat 516-7d 27-1
11-14 Jul 2016 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 267 & 106-1 407
8-11 May 2016 Lost By An Inns & 20 Runs Headingley Surrey Bat 330 & 207 557-6d
24-27 Sep 2013 Match Drawn The Oval Yorkshire Bat 634-5d 434 & 265-6
21-24 Jun 2013 Match Drawn Headingley Surrey Field 353-7d & 4-0 433-9d & 254
30 Jul - 2 Aug 2008 Match Drawn Headingley Surrey Bat 204 & 264-3 414-9d
21-24 May 2008 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 466-8d & 299-6d 525
20-23 Jul 2007 Match Drawn Headingley Yorkshire Bat 229 307 & 2-1
18-21 Apr 2007 Lost By 346 Runs The Oval Yorkshire Bat 344 & 170 494-9d & 266-7d
24-27 Jul 2002 Won By 6 Wickets Guildford Yorkshire Bat 382 & 237-4 172 & 446
24-26 Apr 2002 Won By An Inns & 168 Runs Headingley Surrey Field 510 140 & 202
5-8 Sep 2001 Won By An Inns & 46 Runs The Oval Yorkshire Bat 516-9d 235 & 235
1-4 Aug 2001 Match Drawn Headingley Surrey Bat 278 & 281 204 & 244-2
30 Aug - 2 Sep 2000 Match Drawn Scarborough Yorkshire Field 356 & 89-3d 158 & 68-0
12-15 Jul 2000 Won By 203 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 226 & 345-8d 242 & 126
15-18 Sep 1999 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Field 128 & 57-4 115 & 213-9d
1-4 Sep 1998 Lost By 164 Runs Headingley Surrey Field 147 & 135 250-9d & 196-4d
12-16 Jun 1997 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 549 & 153 387 & 115-4
6-10 Jun 1996 Lost By 221 Runs Middlesbrough Yorkshire Bat 197 & 274 305 & 387

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