MIDDLESEX V SURREY at Lord's (B&H Cup), 28 APRIL 2002

Both sides go into the match having won their first two championship outings in convincing fashion.  The only difference is that Surrey have just beaten the reigning county champions and Middlesex have mauled the less than mighty Durham and Nottinghamshire.

It would be wrong, however, to write off the North London outfit, who do at least have the advantage of playing at home.

Ed Joyce and Sven Koenig already have hundreds next to their names, Andrew Strauss has passed fifty at both times of asking plus Owais Shah and Paul Weekes are showing signs of coming into form.  It remains to be seen whether the only Middlesex batsman who has struggled so far, Robin Weston, will make way for Ben Hutton; who would offer the home side another bowling option.

Talking of their bowling, who has been in the wickets?  With fifteen at an average of 18.06, Ashley Noffke has been in scintillating form in the championship and certainly appears to be the danger.  The 24-year-old Queenslander - who is filling in until Abdur Razzaq is available - has been well supported by Angus Fraser and Simon Cook.  Don't forget Chad Keegan whose one-day career record reads 33 wickets at 21.78. 

Given tomorrow's dodgy weather forecast it doesn't exactly fill one with confidence to see that five out of the last 11 one-day meetings between Surrey and Middlesex have failed to go the distance.  But if we get enough play and the conditions favour the seamers it's difficult to see he North Londoners beating Surrey for the first time since 1995.

Again, Michael Carberry and Ed Giddins are added to the eleven, but only one change is predicted - Giddins for Ian Salisbury, who only played a handful of limited-overs games in 2001.

A Strauss, S Koenig, R Weston, O Shah, E Joyce, P Weekes, D Nash (wk), A Noffke, S Cook, A Fraser (capt) and C Keegan.

1 May 2001	B&H	No Result	The Oval
6 Aug 2000	NL	Won By 5 Wickets	Lord's
21 May 2000	NL	No Result	The Oval
21 Apr 2000	B&H	No Result	Southgate
7 Sep 1999	NL	Won By 69 Runs	The Oval
29 Aug 1999	NL	Match Tied	Lord's
19 Jul 1998	NL	Won By 1 Run	Guildford
3 Aug 1997	NL	No Result	Lord's
7 Jul 1996	NL	Won By 8 Wickets	The Oval
12 Jul 1995	NWT	Lost By 79 Runs	The Oval
2 Jul 1995	NL	No Result	Lord's
28 Aug 1994	NL	Won By 7 Wickets	The Oval
27 Jun 1993	NL	Won By 7 Wickets	Lord's
30 Aug 1992	NL	Won (Scoring Rate)	The Oval
23 Apr 1992	B&H	Won By 69 Runs	The Oval

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