WORCESTERSHIRE V SURREY at Worcester (FCC1), 23-26 JUNE 2004

Start with the bad news. Surrey have not won a championship game at Worcester since 1983 and since they have not met Worcestershire over four days since 1999 only a few of tomorrow’s visitors have memories of playing the New Road outfit, fond or otherwise.

Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe – who’s available to Steve Rixon and Jonathan Batty once more – have decent championship career records against Worcestershire; and Martin Bicknell, if he comes through a fitness test, can point to 42 wickets at an average of 25.90. But over the years Batty, Butcher and Hollioake have struggled against Worcestershire, while for Murtagh and Ormond tomorrow will be the first time they have faced them over four days.

Last season Ben Smith’s men managed to gain promotion with Graeme Hick and Vikram Solanki averaging less than thirty-five with the bat. This summer it seems as though the form of both their quality performers could well be one of the reasons why Worcestershire are likely stay in the top flight. Hick has so far made 802 runs at an average of 72.90, while Solanki is going along at 53. With Smith continuing to lead by example and Stephen Peters finally come of age at long last, everything seems rosy down New Road way.

Now that Kabir Ali is fully fit, the major change as far as their attack goes, is Andy Bichel coming in for Nantie Hayward. While Bichel has disappointed with the ball, Matt Mason – an EC qualified Western Australian seamer – and Gareth Batty have picked up where they ended last year with the ball. With Solanki turning his arm over to good effect against Middlesex last week, Worcestershire have more bowling options than most.

Looking at the weather forecast – Saturday is projected to be a complete washout – it would take a result wicket or a woeful performance from one of these sides for this match to end in anything other than a draw.

Not good – and that’s if one is trying to be optimistic. It is probably quicker to list the fit players with any sort of form going into this match. Batty, Brown, Hollioake, Murtagh, Newman, Ramprakash and Salisbury are the only ones certain to start. Rikki Clarke has been called-up for England’s one-day squad while Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe return, but with minor injuries. Martin Bicknell (groin) and Jimmy Ormond (knees) need to successfully complete fitness tests to prevent Miller and Sampson making their first appearances of the season. James Benning (ankle) is days away from being completely fit. Neil Saker (shoulder) is said to need another fortnight. Azhar Mahmood (back) is out for three more weeks. Meanwhile, as time goes on, Saqlain Mushtaq (knee) and Alex Tudor (back) are looking less and less likely to play for Surrey again this summer.

S Peters, S Moore, G Hick, B Smith (capt), V Solanki, A Hall, G Batty, A Bichel, Kabir Ali, S Rhodes (wk) and M Mason.

20-23 Apr 1999	Match Drawn	Worcester
3-6 Jun 1998	Won By 79 Runs	The Oval
18-19 Jun 1997	Match Drawn	Worcester
19-22 Sep 1996	Lost By 124 Runs	The Oval
1-5 Jun 1995	Lost By 134 Runs	Worcester
28 Apr - 1 May 1994	Won By 9 Wickets	The Oval
12-16 Aug 1993	Lost By 65 Runs	Worcester
12-15 Jun 1992	Match Drawn	The Oval
16-19 Aug 1991	Lost By 3 Wickets	Worcester
16-19 Jun 1990	Match Drawn	The Oval

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