WARWICKSHIRE V SURREY (CC1), 27-30 AUGUST 2002

As first plays second tomorrow, Surrey face possibly their biggest challenge of the season in the championship.  Although they have beaten Warwickshire by an innings in three out of five meetings now, the Oval outfit have lost two out of their last three at Edgbaston plus the home side are in the ascendancy.

After being promoted following a couple of seasons in Division Two, they proceeded to lose their opening pair of fixtures.  Since then, however, Warwickshire have gone undefeated and with five bowlers plus their overseas representative averaging thirty or less with the ball, they have put together an impressive run of results recently.

That said, the home side will be disappointed they could not force a victory in their most recent encounter, at Taunton, in which they just managed to scrape a draw thanks to Ian Bell's 77 in 224 minutes and Shane Bond and Neil Carter's rearguard.

With Nick Knight averaging 93.78, Warwickshire will be hoping to bat first and build a big total around the former England left-hander.  James Troughton, who played so impressively in the corresponding fixture at the AMP Oval, is also going along at 55.31, which underlines that it is unlikely to be a one man show when Surrey bowl.

Just about Warwickshire's only weakness is their wicket-keeping situation.  21-year-old Ian Clifford is currently in possession of the gloves, but is averaging just 3.33 with the bat.  Furthermore the highest score by a Bears keeper this season has been 28.   

Surrey will be looking for revenge for last month's defeat at the AMP Oval.  The last time any side beat them at home and away in the same season was back in 1992 when Nottinghamshire won by three wickets at The Oval and five wickets at Trent Bridge.  What am I trying to say?  Lightning won't strike twice.

Surrey's trio representing England in the Headingley Test could return, but, with Rikki Clarke still struggling with a back injury, the visitors may be content to field the same team that crushed Hampshire by an innings and 60 runs yesterday.

M Powell (capt), N Knight, M Wagh, I Bell, D Ostler, D Brown, G Wagg, A Giles, I Clifford (wk), S Bond and N Carter.

10-13 Jul 2002	Lost By 31 Runs	The Oval
21-23 Jul 1999	Won By An Innings & 123 Runs	Edgbaston
23-27 Apr 1998	Won By An Innings & 49 Runs	The Oval
2-5 Jul 1997	Lost By 5 Wickets	Edgbaston
29-31 Aug 1996	Won By An Innings & 164 Runs	The Oval
4-8 May 1995	Lost By 91 Runs	Edgbaston
14-18 Jul 1994	Lost By 256 Runs	Guildford
17-18 Jun 1993	Won By 8 Wickets	Edgbaston
17-20 Jul 1992	Match Drawn	Guildford

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