WORCESTERSHIRE V SURREY at Worcester (LVCC2), 16-19 AUGUST 2010

Over the years, Surrey have not travelled away from New Road with a great deal to celebrate. The Oval outfit have only enjoyed four championship wins in 28 visits to Worcester. But now must be as good a time as any to take on the Pears. Not only has Vikram Solanki resigned the captaincy - following a run of just one victory in seven outings in the champo - but Worcestershire's chief executive, Mark Newton has also given notice that he will be leaving at the end of the season after calling the shots at New Road for more than a decade.

Despite having three batsman with over 850 runs at an average of 45 in this year's championship, Worcestershire's batting looks one of the least threatening in Division Two - as was underlined when they collapsed from 73-1 to 175 all out to lose to Glamorgan by 241 runs at Colwyn Bay last week. In that game Daryl Mitchell (1,040 championship runs at an average of 49.52) made 165 not out and 45. But, other than Mitchell and Alex Kervezee, the visitors put up little resistance with the bat. Worryingly, Solanki is currently averaging just 27.80, Shakib Al Hasan 27.62 and David Wheeldon 17.75.

On the whole, the Pears' bowling attack has punched above its weight, but continues to be undermined by injuries - Alan Richardson (who tops their averages with 44 championship wickets at 24.81 runs apiece) was not risked in the second innings at Colwyn Bay. But the good news is that Gareth Andrew and Jack Shantry, both of whom are averaging less than thirty in four-day cricket, are coming back from lay-offs. With Shakib installed as overseas player, the New Road outfit also have a spin threat at long last.


Arun Harinath goes into this contest with 968 first-class career runs. For Worcestershire, Shakib Al Hasan has 145 f-c career wickets and Vikram Solanki is 122 runs away from 15,000 f-c career runs.


No news as yet, but, despite Jade Dernbach (right shoulder) and Chris Tremlett (heel) carrying niggles, Surrey are expected to go with the same eleven that drew with Sussex at Guildford. For the official word, keep an eye on Surrey's website.

OPPONENT DATE RESULT VENUE SURREY OPPONENT
Sussex 9-12 Aug 2010 Match Drawn Guildford 292 217 & 275-6d
Middlesex 29 Jul - 1 Aug 2010 Lost By An Inns & 44 Runs Lord's 167 & 212 423
Northamptonshire 20-23 Jul 2010 Won By An Inns & 175 Runs The Oval 620-7d 240 & 205
Derbyshire 28 Jun - 1 Jul 2010 Won By 42 Runs Chesterfield 391 & 253 237 & 365
Leicestershire 4-7 Jun 2010 Lost By An Inns & 60 Runs The Oval 236 & 183 479


Worcestershire seem to be on a downer. Also, Gareth Batty and Steven Davies will no doubt be keen to prove a point at Worcester. Everything would seem to be pointing to a win for the visitors except the weather - rain is forecast for day two. If New Road does turn out to be a wet one there's only one likely outcome and that's a draw. 


D Mitchell (capt), M Ali, V Solanki, A Kervezee, Shakib Al Hasan, J Cameron, G Andrew, B Cox (wk), R Jones, M Mason and J Shantry.


Nigel Cowley and Michael Gough.

DATE RESULT VENUE TOSS DECISION SURREY WORCS
21-24 Apr 2010 Match Drawn Whitgift School Surrey Bat 493 & 239-8d 465 & 170-8
25-28 Jul 2007 Match Drawn Guildford Surrey Bat 369 217 & 307-5
6-9 Jun 2007 Match Drawn Worcester Worcs Bat 370 & 281-9 701-6d
8-10 Aug 2006 Won By An Inns & 107 Runs Worcester Worcs Bat 576 304 & 165
17-20 May 2006 Lost By 2 Wickets The Oval Surrey Bat 501-7d & 136-3d 353-9d & 287-8
3-6 Aug 2004 Won By 68 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 375 & 329-5d 295 & 341
23-26 Jun 2004 Match Drawn Worcester Worcs Field 155 & 187-8 400-4d
20-23 Apr 1999 Match Drawn Worcester Worcs Field 223 15-1
3-6 Jun 1998 Won By 79 Runs The Oval Surrey Bat 502-7d & 130-4d 367 & 186
18-21 Jun 1997 Match Drawn Worcester Surrey Bat 452-9d 81-1
19-22 Sep 1996 Lost By 124 Runs The Oval Surrey Field Forfeited & 299 362 & 61-1d
1-5 Jun 1995 Lost By 134 Runs Worcester Worcs Bat 183 & 152 204 & 265-7d
28 Apr - 1 May 1994 Won By 9 Wickets The Oval Surrey Field 470 & 79-1 205 & 343
12-16 Aug 1993 Lost By 65 Runs Worcester Worcs Bat 427 & 227 406 & 313-9d
12-15 Jun 1992 Match Drawn The Oval Surrey Bat 301-9d & 169-5d 195-7d & 219-7

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