YORKSHIRE V SURREY at Scarborough (SSCC1), 25-28 JUNE 2018

Fifth plays host to the new leaders. Yorkshire have an enviable record at home in the championship, winning 20 and drawing 8 out of their last 33 as hosts. That said, the Tykes have lost three out of their last four at North Marine Road. This will be Surrey's eight first-class visit to Scarborough, where they have only lost the once - in 1972 when Tony Nicholson and Chris Clifford proved instrumental in skittling the visitors out for 206 and 130.

The bigger concern for Yorkshire is the form of their batters. Only three starting this match are currently averaging over 22 in the County Championship - Harry Brook 40.10, Gary Ballance 33.37 and Jack Leaning 32.66. Ballance boasts having been the most recent of their brethren to make a championship hundred at Scarborough, against Notts two years ago. He also averages 45.53 there.

However, Adam Lyth, overseas batsman Cheteshwar Pujara (who is averaging 13.20 and will be signing off after this contest) and Alex Lees (who is nursing a paltry average of 8.16) simply haven't cut the mustard this season. Although it's slightly unfair to tarnish Yorkshire's tail with the same brush, no real rearguards have been forthcoming; not even any engineered by Tim Bresnan, who is averaging 20.37 with the willow.

With the ball, Ben Coad (17.47) and Josh Brooks (23.52) have both taken 23 championship wickets. Next best is Bresnan with 14 (at 26.50 runs apiece) followed by skipper Steven Patterson (13 at 18.23). But now that England leg-spinner Adil Rashid has walked away from red ball cricket, the days of an all-seam Yorkshire attack are with us once again.

Rikki Clarke has a handy first-class record against the Yorkies (952 runs at an average of 38.08 and 40 wickets at 31.77), as does Mark Stoneman (1,142 runs at 42.29). 

Surrey v Yorkshire - First-Class Records Sheet

Jade Dernbach (293) is closing in on 300 first-class career wickets. Matt Dunn (99), if he plays, is eyeing to the 100 wicket-mark. Meanwhile, Ollie Pope (855) and Mark Stoneman (9,884) are approaching 1,000 and 10,000 f-c career runs respectively. In the Yorkshire camp, Alex Lees (4,834) would dearly love to put his run of poor form behind him by reaching 5,000 first-class runs in this match. 

Mark Stoneman, who missed Surrey's victory over Somerset for family reasons, makes a return of sorts by being named in the visitors' 15-man party. Also included are Gareth Batty, Matt Dunn (who took 7-31 against Sussex for the 2nd XI in the week), Arun Harinath and Mathew Pillans. Tom Curran (side strain), Conor McKerr (side strain) and Stuart Meaker are currently ruled out through injury, while Sam Curran, Ben Foakes and Jason Roy continue to be involved with either England or the England Lions.

Not only is Scarborough generally considered to be a result wicket, the weather forecast for the next four days could hardly be better. Surrey are coming off three successive innings victories while Yorkshire, since being the first in that sequence, have only draw with Hampshire on which to build momentum. Head and heart both say Surrey win. If the Oval outfit do go on to win it will provide yet another pointer as to their chances of being crowned County Champions because each of the last five registered victories at Scarborough en route to claiming the title.

A.Lyth, A.Lees, C.Pujara, G.Ballance, H.Brook, J.Leaning, J.Tattersall (wk), T.Bresnan, S.Patterson (capt), J.Brooks and B.Coad.

Peter Hartley and Paul Pollard.

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