YORKSHIRE V SURREY at Scarborough (SSCC1), 30 JUNE - 3 JULY 2019

Fourth plays host to fifth. Yes, who would have predicted before Surrey and Yorkshire met at Guildford that, for the return match-up, the pair would be next to one another in the table, separated by just 11 points? The hosts will be keen to atone for their loss to Warwickshire last time out, especially as, after Surrey, they've got Essex and then Somerset - the two sides battling for this year's title. The Oval outfit will be buoyed by the fact that they've just beaten Warwicks and, prior to that, had Yorkshire following-on at a damp Woodbridge Road.

The Tykes have turned to the South African slow left-armer Keshav Maharaj in an effort to revive their championship challenge. Another all-rounder, David Willey, who missed the corresponding fixture at Guildford, is back; as is seamer Duanne Olivier, who, despite starting the game at Woodbridge Road, withdrew with a hip injury. But the Yorkies' leading lights with the ball remain Ben Coad (27 wickets at 26.18 in this year's Champo) and skipper Steven Patterson (24 at an average of 23.33).

The concern for Yorkshire is the batting, which appears to be relying increasingly on Gary Ballance (681 championship runs, including four centuries, at an average of 68.10) and another former England man Adam Lyth (480 runs at 43.63). Apart from Ballance, no one other than Joe Root has hit a four-day hundred for the Tykes this season. Tom Kohler-Cadmore (35.00) and Jack Leaning (32.77) have shown glimpses though.

A key man for Surrey, particularly in the absence of Rory Burns, could well be Mark Stoneman. With scores of 33 and 71 against Warwickshire on top of his 61 against Yorkshire a fortnight ago, the former Durham and England opener is arguably the visitors' form batsman right now. Also, his championship record against the White Rose reads 1,244 runs at an average of 41.46, including five centuries.

Surrey v Yorkshire - First-Class Records Sheet

South African all-rounder Keshav Maharaj looks set to make his Yorkshire debut, plus Gary Ballance needs 12 runs for 11,000 in first-class cricket and Steven Patterson is three wickets shy of the 400-mark. For Surrey, Rikki Clarke (965) is closing in on 1,000 first-class runs against Yorkshire and Sam Curran will start (assuming the ECB will allow him to start) with 142 f-c career wickets. Meanwhile, Morne Morkel (1,981) continues to creep towards a 2,000th first-class run and Mark Stoneman (10,870) is just starting to eye-up his 11,000th.

Rory Burns is unwell, which means Ben Foakes has officially become Surrey's captain against Yorkshire. Sam Curran is named in the visitors' 13-man squad, despite being restricted to bowling 30 overs in the Oval outfit's 74-run win over Warwickshire by order of England's management. Matt Dunn returns after turning an ankle a week ago. Will Jacks, Ryan Patel and Jamie Smith are also named-checked.

For Surrey, this will be their ninth visit to North Marine Road for a first-class fixture. Of the previous eight, stretching back to 1892, the Oval outfit have won 3, drawn 4 and suffered defeat just the once - in 1972. Although the weather looks set to get fresher over the next four days, they're saying there's no threat of it raining at Scarborough in the foreseeable. The last time Scarbados produced a draw was six years and 12 matches ago ...all of which means I can't sit on the fence on this one. Go on then - a Surrey win, but it's imperative they bowl as a unit and, with the bat, make up for the absence of Burns.

A.Lyth, W.Fraine, G.Ballance, T.Kohler-Cadmore, J.Leaning, J.Tattersall (wk), K.Maharaj, D.Willey, S.Patterson (capt), D.Olivier and B.Coad.

Ian Blackwell and Alex Wharf.

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