SUSSEX V SURREY at Hove (CC1), 30 JULY - 2 AUGUST 2003

First plays second in what many feel could be a pivotal game in terms of deciding the destiny of this summer's County Championship title. But with rain forecast for day three these two sides might also be separated by just five or six points come Saturday evening.

With Tim Ambrose and Jason Lewry likely to be missing through injury, Surrey go into the match as clear favourites.  But, as Sussex have shown in their last three championship meetings with the Oval outfit, they are a good deal more combative than your average county side.  The seasiders take their lead from their pugnacious captain Chris Adams, who has continued to baffle everyone by averaging just 18.70 with the bat in this year's championship.  He is a much better batsman than that and tomorrow's visitors will clearly be hoping that he takes a little longer to rediscover his form.

One player whose stock is on the rise is opener Murray Goodwin, who struck his first championship hundred last Saturday, at Trent Bridge.  37-year-old Tony Cottey, who is out of contract at the end of the summer, has been a revelation and, at last, Robin Martin-Jenkins is fulfilling his promise with the bat.  Unfortunately he has gone off the boil with the ball and if Sussex do have a weakness it is their probable reliance on just two bowlers in this match - Mushtaq Ahmed and James Kirtley, who have already captured 114 championship wickets between them.


The weather forecast clouds my judgement again - a draw for me.


With only Butcher, Stewart and Tudor unavailable, Surrey have a decision to make in terms of their middle order.  With a first-class batting average of 27.58, Alistair Brown would appear to be the most likely man to miss out; even though he averages forty-four against the seasiders.


M Goodwin, R Montgomerie, T Cottey, C Adams (capt), M Yardy, R Martin-Jenkins, M Prior (wk), Mushtaq Ahmed, J Kirtley, M Davis and P Hutchison.

30 May - 2 Jun 2003 Won By 113 Runs The Oval
8-11 Aug 2002 Lost By 4 Wickets Hove
19-22 Apr 2002 Won By 10 Wickets The Oval
18-21 Aug 1999 Won By 207 Runs Hove
30 Jul - 1 Aug 1998 Won By An Innings & 69 Runs The Oval
28-30 Aug 1997 Won By An Innings & 101 Runs Hove
17-20 Jul 1996 Won By 135 Runs Guildford
15-19 Jun 1995 Match Drawn Horsham
28 Jul - 1 Aug 1994 Lost By An Innings & 34 Runs The Oval
6-8 May 1993 Won By 10 Wickets Hove
29 May - 1 Jun 1992 Match Drawn The Oval
28-31 Aug 1991 Won By An Innings & 128 Runs The Oval
2-4 Jul 1991 Match Drawn Arundel
18-20 Jul 1990 Lost By 7 Wickets Guildford
26-30 Apr 1990 Lost By 5 Wickets Hove

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