Surrey go into tomorrow's clash knowing that anything less than a decisive victory will kill off their fading hopes of County Championship promotion once and for all. Even a maximum 24-pointer would leave Surrey eight points shy of second-placed Hampshire. But, a victory over Worcestershire, who currently top Division Two, could send the New Road outfit into a tailspin - not least because they have lost each of their last two, which would therefore make it three out of three.

With no Saeed Ajmal, Charlie Morris goes into this contest as Worcestershire's leading wicket-taker in the County Championship. The 22-year-old seamer has a bright future ahead of him judging by his 48 scalps at 24.77 runs apiece. Jack Shantry (44 at 25.86) and Joe Leach have also enjoyed success with the ball. Unfortunately the Pears current overseas signing, New Zealand's left-arm quick Mitchell McClenaghan has not backed them up.

Worcestershire's batting will be boosted by the return of Mooen Ali, who was averaging 65.85 in four-day cricket before he selected for England. Skipper Daryl Mitchell has more than picked up the slack by hitting 1,308 championship runs at an average of 68.84 and a gem has been unearthed in the shape of Shropshire's 24-year-old left-handed opener Richard Oliver. With Kervezee, Fell and Cox providing the support cast, it's not hard to see why the New Road outfit could still win promotion even if they were to lose this one.

If he plays, Arun Harinath will be making his 50th first-class appearance. Steven Davies needs 70 more runs for 1,000 f-c runs for the season. Zafar Ansari (890), Rory Burns (919) and Jason Roy (875) are also homing in on the same landmark. Worcestershire's Jack Shantry goes into this contest with 44 first-class wickets for the season.

Surrey have decided against taking Kevin Pietersen on his offer to play in the last two championship games, which either means they have given up on promotion or feel KP's form does not warrant him a place in the side. Aneesh Kapil looks set to make his second championship appearance of the season, fresh from making his maiden first-class hundred against New Zealand A last week. With Tom Curran (elbow and ankle), Dominic Sibley (finger) and Chris Tremlett (shoulder) on the injury list, and George Edwards, Tom Jewell and Jack Winslade all released, Arun Harinath and Tim Linley have been included in Surrey's 13-man squad as cover.

The weather can be a big factor at this time of the year, but, the forecast for this week is pretty encouraging; as was Surrey's fight-back on the final day against New Zealand A, which suggested their confidence had not been dented by the T20 semi-final defeat. It's simple 'rey have to win, and who am I to say they can't?

D Mitchell (capt), R Oliver, M Ali, T Fell, A Kervezee, T Kohler-Cadmore, O Cox (wk), J Leach, J Shantry, M McClenaghan and C Morris.

Nigel Cowley and Jeff Evans.

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