WARWICKSHIRE V SURREY at Edgbaston (RCC)
3-6 APRIL 2026

Most counties would settle for finishing second in the Champo, but not Surrey, who missed out on a fourth title in a row last term. The mood in the Oval dressing room is that anything other than reclaiming top billing simply isn't an option this summer.

Rory Burns, who is bidding to become a five-time championship winning skipper, says last year's disappointment didn't prompt any thoughts of standing down as captain. He says: "I'm a competitive so-and-so. I love winning and I want to keep winning, but, yes, it hurt a lot."

It all came down to Surrey's clash with Nottinghamshire at the Oval. With little to choose between the two main challengers, fans were treated to a pulsating four-day contest, which Notts held on to win by 20 runs.

The former England seamer Matt Fisher, who made the move from Yorkshire to SE11 a year ago and took 11 wickets in the crunch match, says: "I would have handed all those wickets back for us to win.

"We kind of knew it was all over at that point, even though there was one more game left. Everyone was down, but I was properly down because I wanted to help carry on what Surrey had done."

Tom Lawes, who perished to a catch in the deep to spark Notts’ victory celebrations, said: "It was one of the worst feelings in my career. I do think about the shot, but I played it off instinct. It was the first time I’d been in that situation. But losing the title has been a real motivator."

Both of last season's four-day meetings with Warwickshire - who finished fifth with three wins - ended in draws. The pitch for the corresponding fixture at Edgbaston was particularly flat.

"We played on quite a few turgid wickets away from home," said Fisher. "Every away game in that first block of 7 matches last season it was the same story. In a way, it was a back-handed complement that teams felt they couldn’t compete with us if the ball was doing something. It will be interesting to see what it is like this year."

Ed Barnard (who was Warwickshire's leading run-maker in last summer's championship, with 922 at an average of 54.23) takes over the Bears' captaincy from Alex Davies.

Sam Hain was consistent with the willow, even though he never really threatened to make a hundred in 2025. While the likes of Malik and Mousley continue to establish themselves, the Warwickshire line-up looks packed with batting.

With the ball, Ethan Bamber (43 championship wickets at 33.09) had a successful campaign after making the move from Middlesex. Ed Barnard and Michael Booth often chipped in. The acquisition of Jordan Thompson (from Yorkshire) further upgrades the seam department, but the bonus, this year, must surely be Chris Woakes' decision to retire from international cricket.

Surrey v Warwickshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Sean Abbott will start 51 shy of 3,000 first-class career runs, while Matt Fisher (960) and Jamie Smith (4,969) enter the new season with the mark of 1,000 and 5,000 f-c runs in their sights respectively. Turning to the hosts, Ed Barnard is on 5,997 runs, Sam Hain 7,931 and Dan Mousley 1,865. Jordan Thompson, formerly of Yorkshire, also looks set to make his Bears debut.

Surrey's 14-player squad includes 18-year-old Ralphie Albert, Reece Topley (who hasn't appeared in first-class cricket since April 2022) and Aussie all-rounder Sean Abbott, who returns as overseas player after a year's absence. Gus Atkinson is under instructions to rest by the England management. Cam Steel and Dan Worrall are ruled out due to injury, while Will Jacks isn't available due to his involvement in the Indian Premier League.

It could well be a windy start to the season, but the rain is expected to stay away over the next four days. Surrey look particularly strong, especially with Ollie Pope currently out of favour in terms of England. Even so, Warwickshire will be a test, as might the Edgbaston pitch when it comes to taking wickets. Prediction - draw.

A.Davies (wk), R.Yates, S.Hain, D.Mousley, Z.Malik, B.Webster, E.Barnard (capt), C.Woakes, N.Gilchrist, J.Thompson and E.Bamber.

James Middlebrook and Steve O'Shaughnessy.

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