WARWICKSHIRE V SURREY at Edgbaston (LVCC)
27-30 APRIL 2023

Third plays host to fourth as both are back in action following a week off; prior to which, following draws in the opening round, Warwickshire beat Kent by an innings and Surrey overcame Hampshire by nine wickets.

For Surrey, to have kicked off their title defence by coming through two of, arguably, the four toughest fixtures they'll have to negotiate this season - with the better of a draw at Old Trafford and a statement-making victory at home to Hampshire - augurs well. But Rory Burns’ men can expect another test of their credentials in Birmingham.

Warwickshire narrowly avoided relegation at the end of last season, but don’t let that fool you. Sam Hain is knocking on the England door with the bat and the bowling, which has been carried by Oliver Hannon-Dalby, now benefits from three canny signings in the shape of Hasan Ali, Ed Barnard and Chris Rushworth; not to mention the availability of England's Chris Woakes.

Hain not only came close to denting Surrey’s title charge last summer, when he made 96 at the Oval, he has already notched up two championship tons this term. Alex Davies and Rob Yates have also opened their 2023 accounts persuasively.

Hannon-Dalby (10 wickets at 16.70 so far in the championship) remains the pick with the ball. That Liam Norwell, whose magical spell on the final day of last season kept the Bears up, cannot get into the side underlines Warwickshire's renewed strength.

Dom Sibley could be a key player for the visitors. The 27-year-old opener is back at Surrey after six seasons with the Bears, for whom he made 3,875 first-class runs at an average of 44.03, including 12 centuries.

Surrey v Warwickshire - First-Class Records Sheet

If he plays, Ryan Patel will be making his 50th first-class appearance. Ollie Pope (5,987) is approaching a 6,000th f-c run, while Dom Sibley (6,970) is homing in on a 7,000th. Kemar Roach (494 first-class wickets) is also eyeing up a landmark. For Warwickshire, Oliver Hannon-Dalby looks set to make his 100th f-c appearance and Hasan Ali needs three more victims for 300 f-c career wickets.

Surrey have named a 13-man squad which is without Sean Abbott, who is being rested at the request of Cricket Australia and Cricket New South Wales. Gus Atkinson and Dan Moriarty are pushing to break into the team for the first time this summer.

Sadly, the weather forecast for Birmingham for the next four days looks less than promising. Not since 2006, at Leicester, have Surrey won an away game in the County Championship starting in April. A draw looks the most likely outcome.

R.Yates, A.Davies, W.Rhodes (capt), S.Hain, D.Mousley, M.Burgess (wk), E.Barnard, C.Woakes, Hasan Ali, C.Rushworth and O.Hannon-Dalby.

Peter Hartley and Nigel Llong.

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