LANCASHIRE V SURREY at Old Trafford (CC1), 31 MAY - 3 JUNE 2002

Lancashire will want to cash in on the absence of Mark Butcher, Alec Stewart, Graham Thorpe and Alex Tudor and avenge the three-wicket defeat they suffered at the AMP Oval three weeks ago.  That was Lancashire's only loss in the championship this season.  Surrey, however, are unbeaten at the top of the Division One table and have the added advantage of a game in hand.

Despite missing the corresponding fixture in London, Peter Martin is currently the red rose county's leading first-class wicket-taker with 20 at an average of 19.45.  Kyle Hogg, who has been under-utilised as much as Glen Chapple (13 at 41.46) has been over-bowled, has taken 14 wickets at 21.42 runs apiece.  The spin threat is still non-existent, but if the pitch is as good as it was against Sussex recently Chris Scofield may be asked to join forces with Gary Keedy.

With Andy Flintoff on England duty, there is a possibility of 19-year-old seamer Jimmy Anderson making his first team debut.  Lancashire's manager, Mike Watkinson, told the Manchester Evening News: "We said right at the outset that if our younger players deserved a chance, they would get it.  Kyle [Hogg] has been tremendous and Jimmy is pushing hard.  He has bowled really well and has taken a stack of wickets so has to be considered."

David Byas is missing with a broken hand, but the good news for the home side is that Neil Fairbrother is fit again after a blood clot followed a recent operation on his knee.  The imposing presence of Stuart Law means that Surrey's attack cannot breath a sigh of relief at Flintoff's absence.  The Aussie has already posted 407 runs at an average of 58.14, including a double-century against Sussex.  Graham Lloyd and Alec Swann have also shown some form with the bat. 

With both line-ups showing a number changes from the recent confrontation at the AMP Oval, the result in that match has little bearing on how this one will go.  The re-introduction of Nadeem Shahid is certainly welcome, provided he gets a start, and the spinners will also value his close-catching skills.  Peter Martin is fit again for Lancashire, of course, but the key to the game for Surrey will be nullifying the threat posed by Stuart Law, which won't be easy.  All I'm prepared to say is that the visitors will preserve their unbeaten status. 

Jonathan Batty, Michael Carberry and Rikki Clarke are the other likely replacements for the Test guys.

M Chilton, A Swann, S Law, G Lloyd, N Fairbrother, W Hegg (capt, wk), C Schofield, G Chapple, P Martin, K Hogg and G Keedy.

8-11 May 2002	Won By 3 Wickets	The Oval
29 Jun - 2 Jul 2001	Match Drawn	The Oval
25-28 Apr 2001	Abandoned	Old Trafford
13-16 Sep 2000	Match Drawn	Old Trafford
2-5 Aug 2000	Won By 272 Runs	The Oval
15-18 Jun 1999	Won By 4 Wickets	The Oval
18-21 Jun 1998	Lost By 6 Wickets	Old Trafford
10-12 Sep 1997	Lost By An Innings & 55 Runs	The Oval
7-9 Aug 1996	Won By 140 Runs	Southport
29 Aug - 1 Sep 1995	Lost By 9 Wickets	The Oval
5-9 May 1994	Won By 10 Wickets	Old Trafford
3-7 Jun 1993	Lost By 96 Runs	The Oval
4-6 Aug 1992	Lost By 86 Runs	Lytham

GO TO:

BACK TO: