WARWICKSHIRE V SURREY at Edgbaston (FCC1), 12-15 MAY 2004

One look at the Division One table illustrates that this match is a crucial one for both sides. Both are still awaiting their first championship win of the season, whilst for Surrey it is still a case of searching for a first success of any kind.

With the weather forecasters saying it will be cloudy throughout, but with only a slim chance of rain, there seems every chance of a result on a wicket that has already been used for two one-day matches.

As with Sunday’s encounter the visitors have surprisingly been made the odds-on favourites, while Warwickshire are 11-10 against. In terms of their title aspirations, however, neither is particularly favoured by the bookmakers, which is understandable given the excellent starts made by Kent, Lancashire and Middlesex.

Ashley Giles makes his first appearance of the campaign for the home side, but there is some debate as to who he will replace. The clever money seems to be on Alan Richardson making way. However, given Jim Troughton’s lack of form with the bat, the hosts also have the option of playing Brad Hogg more as an all-rounder. Either way, it seems there is a strong chance of slow-left-armers bowling at both ends, which must rank as something of a novelty.

The dangermen as far as Surrey are concerned are undoubtedly Jonathan Trott and Dougie Brown. Trott top scored for the midlands county at the weekend and has made half centuries in both of his visits to the crease in the championship this season, while Brown has opened his account by taking 7 wickets at an average of twenty.

Milestones? Well, assuming he plays, this match will be Azhar Mahmood’s one hundredth first-class appearance. Jimmy Ormond is now just two wickets away from his 100th championship scalp for Surrey. Finally, Mark Ramprakash, who is one away from his fifth first-class hundred against Warwickshire, has now claimed 196 catches in first-class cricket.

Surrey have won on two out of their three championship trips to Edgbaston; and had it not been for Nick Knight’s resistance on the last day in 2002 the visitors would be able to boast a run of three out of the last three. But that was then and this is now, and history counts for little if, as a side, you are struggling to put partnerships together and the breakthroughs with the ball seem harder to come by. Much could depend on the toss. With the wicket expected to deteriorate, whoever calls right is sure to bat first and be in with a good chance of dictating terms. If it is Warwickshire, their price of 11-10, modest though it is, will look very good value indeed.

The side is likely to show just one change from the eleven that lost to the Warwickshire Bears on Sunday, with Martin Bicknell returning from injury and Tim Murtagh making way. In case it is thought the wicket could take spin, Ian Salisbury completes the 12-man squad.

N Knight (capt), M Wagh, I Bell, J Trott, B Hogg, D Brown, T Frost (wk), A Giles, N Carter, A Richardson and D Pretorius.

9-12 Jul 2003	Won By 135 Runs	Edgbaston
30 Apr - 3 May 2003	Match Drawn	The Oval
27-30 Aug 2002	Match Drawn	Edgbaston
10-13 Jul 2002	Lost By 31 Runs	The Oval
21-23 Jul 1999	Won By An Innings & 123 Runs	Edgbaston
23-27 Apr 1998	Won By An Innings & 49 Runs	The Oval
2-5 Jul 1997	Lost By 5 Wickets	Edgbaston
29-31 Aug 1996	Won By An Innings & 164 Runs	The Oval
4-8 May 1995	Lost By 91 Runs	Edgbaston
14-18 Jul 1994	Lost By 256 Runs	Guildford
17-18 Jun 1993	Won By 8 Wickets	Edgbaston
17-20 Jul 1992	Match Drawn	Guildford
6-8 Aug 1991	Won By 67 Runs	Edgbaston
7-10 Jul 1990	Won By 168 Runs	The Oval

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