SUSSEX V SURREY at Hove (FCC1), 16-19 SEPTEMBER 2004

With the Ovalites eyeing up second place and Sussex out to stop them this should be a meaty contest to end the season. But since being bowled to victory over Worcestershire by Mushtaq Ahmed, the Martlets have gone three championship matches without a win. With the exception of ‘Mushy’ and, maybe, Matt Prior, the Eaton Road outfit have looked as though they cannot wait for the campaign to end.

Few, probably not even themselves, expected Sussex to retain the championship title. But, generally speaking, they have been free from the worry of relegation, which just goes to underline what a good job coach Peter Moores has done at Hove since being appointed cricket manager in 1999.

Tony Cottey will be making his 277th and perhaps final first-class appearance, following today’s news that the Welshman is not going to be offered a new contract, despite averaging 41.27 since returning to the Sussex line-up at the end of July.

Sussex's Ian Ward (985) and Chris Adams (922 at an average of 48.52) are closing in on 1,000 championship runs for the summer. But, honestly, where would the Seasiders be without Mushtaq Ahmed (79 wickets at 26.50 runs apiece) when the next best is Mohammed Akram's 43 at 33.74?

Mark Ramprakash needs 76 more runs for 5,000 f-c runs for Surrey. Mark Butcher's tally of first-class centuries stands at 29, so, Butch, this may only be your second championship visit to Hove, but it's just one more for your thirtieth ton, mate. Ali Brown has made 978 runs in first-class cricket this summer. Rikki Clarke is 111 away from 2,000 f-c career runs and requires three wickets for his first-class half-century; as does Tim Murtagh in terms of f-c wickets for the Oval outfit. Finally, Jimmy Ormond needs one more five-wicket haul for the 20th of his first-class career.

Surprisingly, given that rain has fallen in the South East in the last few days, the weather forecast for the coast looks highly optimistic. That suggests there should be time in this game to achieve a positive result, as has been the case in five out of the last six four-day meetings at Hove between Sussex and Surrey. On the last occasion these two sides met at Eaton Road in September, the visitors won the toss, batted first and were victorious by an innings, thanks to a match haul of 12/105 by one Keith Medlycott. So, watch out for who calls correctly and expect turn.

Following his “clear the air” meeting with Steve Rixon, Rikki Clarke – in for Azhar Mahmood – is likely to be the only new face in the side that crushed Lancashire at Old Trafford. Anyway, what a difference a year makes – this time round, Surrey’s team selection for the last match of the campaign suggests that the chance of finishing in the prize-money does count for something!

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

16-19 Apr 2004	Match Drawn	The Oval
30 Jul - 2 Aug 2003	Match Drawn	Hove
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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