Squad for Durham game named - for what it's worth

Although the next four days are forecast to be a rain-fest, a thirteen man squad has nonetheless been named to face Durham starting tomorrow. Theoretically at least.

Jacques Rudolph makes a welcome return to the squad but otherwise it is unchanged from last week. The 13 and possible XI is as follows:

Jacques Rudolph
Steven Davies
Mark Ramprakash
Zander de Bruyn
Rory Hamilton-Brown
Tom Maynard
Jason Roy
Gareth Batty
Stuart Meaker
Jon Lewis
Jade Dernbach

12th men: Linley, Jordan

With Rudolph back in the fold the openers conundrum is solved for now, though the men tasked with that job are in search of some fluency. Ramprakash, fresh from his interview with the Daily Telegraph (and an ECB slap on the wrists for abusing umpires) in which he bemoans the state of April pitches, will get another chance to find some form. Whilst I sympathise with him that batting is tough, it is hard to deny that he's also in a rough patch of form. He has spent plenty of time in the middle this season, he's just never looked like scoring runs. Once he gets a session with 40 or 50 runs under his belt, I'm sure he'll feel right at home again.

Adams is unlikely to jettison Jordan or Batty at this stage but I think we are a bowler heavy. I would probably leave out Jordan, despite an encouraging couple of overs late in the day against Worcestershire, that the captain waited until the 33rd and 28th overs of each innings to introduce him suggests we could probably sacrifice him for some extra batting. Indeed, both Batty and de Bruyn were tried in Worcestershire's second innings before Jordan. Adams very rarely goes into a game without a spinning option (it was not so long ago that he played two spinners in an April game) so Batty is always likely to be retained.

That of course conveniently leaves room for Roy who while he didn't score heavily last week, at least looked likely to score runs during his short stays at the crease. The time he spent edging Alan Richardson through gully will serve him well later in the season.

Meaker's six wickets last week means if fit, he simply has to play (workload is not an issue yet, he's only bowled 58 overs in April). Lewis is similarly a nailed on certainty as our leading wicket-taker and third highest run-getter, which leaves a likely choice between Linley and Dernbach. Jade has been extraordinarily reliable so far this season, drying up the runs (no one has given away fewer runs per over than Dernbach's 2.3) and picking up regular wickets although he hasn't quite had the impact of Meaker or Lewis. I would definitely stick with him, again this is hard on Linley but he'll bowl plenty of overs through the season I'm sure.

I'm certain most of the batters would echo Ramps concerns about the spicy pitches, but this damp weather means respite for them is very unlikely. They must be longing for a warm July day on an Oval flat top.

Durham are the strongest opposition we've faced so far this season, with the greatest of respect to the three sides already played. They have quality right through the order with di Venuto, Collingwood and Benkenstein forming an almost unparalleled batting spine in terms of experience. They also have the prodigiously talented Ben Stokes and skipper Phil Mustard is no mug either. Their bowling is dangerous, spearheaded by Graham Onions (he of sixteen wickets in his two games this year) and Mitchell Claydon, with Stokes chipping in here as well.

Another on-off game is in the offing and a result seems all-but impossible. It could be another fight over first innings bonus points which for the batsmen will seem equally unlikely. Durham will provide a good test and if we can hold our own, and we ought to be able to, it'll stand us in good stead.

Rain interrupts to force Oval draw

In a match where fewer than 200 overs were possible over four days of play, it is hardly a surprise that the result was a draw. What was a surprise is how relatively close we came to a result.

Heavy rain interrupted at about twenty to four with Worcestershire looking comfortable on 94-1, the wicket falling to a much-improved Chris Jordan just seconds before the break. In his 2 overs today he was far more accurate and dangerous than in the four he bowled yesterday.

The day began with the captain and Batty looking to extend the lead beyond the 152 it was overnight but only 11 runs were added before Batty fell to a well directed short ball from Lucas. Hamilton-Brown continued to tick over and added a further 20 with Meaker before the skipper perished trying to launch Richardson over long on for a superb 76. The captain has borne a heavy burden so far this season, scoring precisely 25% of his side's runs.

That left Surrey eight wickets down with a lead of 185. Meaker and Lewis played excellently, picking off the bad balls in a 35 run partnership. Once Meaker fell Jade Dernbach came in and launched 22 runs from just 15 balls including a superb straight six off Richardson, lifting Worcestershire's target to a tricky looking 246. The last four wickets added 82 vital runs.

Perhaps Dernbach's cameo should've been the signal to Hamilton-Brown that the pitch had settled down overnight. There was certainly little sign of the variable bounce of yesterday apart from in the very early overs today. Surrey's new ball bowlers, Lewis and Dernbach himself, got no assistance from the pitch despite some accurate bowling.

That remained the case no matter who Hamilton-Brown turned to as Mitchell and Klinger, perhaps mindful of the forecast rain, were content to tick along at three runs an over or less. Klinger was the aggressor with a couple of lucky edges initially but as he settled he began to play very well. Mitchell bedded in and by the time he became the first wicket to fall he'd seen off 91 balls for his 20 runs.

Despite an excellent bowling performance (albeit on a helpful surface) Adams has plenty to think about ahead of the next game. Three games into the season he only has two top order batsmen who have more than a hundred runs to their name in total. Mark Ramprakash simply must find some form but de Bruyn too is under pressure, he has just 41 runs from his last four innings. Burns, Harinath and Spriegel will be on standby.

The cricket keeps on coming, there are just a few days before the next game against Durham begins though this outing hardly counts as taxing with so many rain breaks. A win, a loss and a draw does not represent the ideal start to the season, but neither is it a disaster. Adams and Co. will want to push on and push top opposition hard later this week.

Captain Marvel sets up intriguing finish

If the London weather behaves itself tomorrow we could see a second nerve-jangling finish in seven days. Surrey ended the day 131-6 in their second innings, a lead of 152 runs after a frantic day's play.

Surrey began the day looking to add to their overnight total of 123, but the final three wickets only managed to add 17 runs. Meaker flashed at one from Alan Richardson to give him a sixth wicket, Ben Scott taking a superb one-handed catch to his left. Gareth Batty looked ill-at-ease at the crease, struggling to find any timing at all before he managed to crunch one through the covers. It was to be his last scoring shot though as two balls later he edged Lucas into the slips. Last man Dernbach saw off only one ball before offering Scott his second catch of the morning.

That meant Surrey's last 20 wickets had fallen for just 277 runs and we looked to be on the back foot. The Worcestershire reply began sedately, the first four overs producing only five runs. Jon Lewis then made the breakthrough in the fifth as Klinger aimed a pretty average shot at a good length ball which Lewis may have held back slightly. Zander de Bruyn was again given four new-ball overs and in them rarely presented the batsmen with any trouble.

When Meaker was introduced in the ninth over he was immediately more dangerous, rapping the knuckles of Vikram Solanki with a sharp ball short of a length. Solanki was gone soon after offering a leading edge off Lewis to Chris Jordan at cover point who took an excellent diving catch. Meaker was then into his stride bowling quickly and full of length, he trapped Moeen LBW and had Mitchell well caught at second slip before lunch. Worcestershire went into the break reeling at 39-4.

After lunch there was no let up. Ten balls into the afternoon session Lewis picked up his third wicket, Kervezee offering Maynard his third slip catch of the innings. Just three overs later Meaker picked up his third wicket, Ben Scott for just one, having been hit in the unmentionables by Lewis a few balls before. Maynard was in action again as Choudhry became his fourth slip catch of the day to give Meaker his fourth wicket.

Meaker's spell was extended by the captain in search of a five-for and his hundredth first class wicket. It duly arrived in typical Meaker style as David Lucas' off stump was sent a good few yards back. Worcestershire were 74-8 and Stuart Meaker had ripped through their batting.

Chris Jordan was introduced into the attack and bowled a disappointing four over spell which produced no wickets and leaked 20 runs. A 50 run first innings lead had looked possible with Meaker in full flight but Jordan's wayward spell allowed Cameron and Jones to mount a mini fightback. Dernbach broke the stand in the end, having Jones caught at slip and the captain turned again to Meaker to finish the innings, which he did, having Cameron caught behind for a dogged 41.

That meant a first innings lead of just 21 and with only five sessions remaining a result still seemed unlikely. But the tricky bounce and swinging conditions meant the fun continued. Surrey's second innings went the way of the first as five wickets fell for just 50 runs in less than 20 overs. Ramprakash registered his sixth consecutive sub-25 score and his place will soon come into question, if it isn't already. He badly needs time in the middle, he's hit just seven fours in six innings, April is not a time for a batsman to find form.

Hamilton-Brown though defied the odds with his fourth innings of substance in tricky conditions of late, hitting a run-a-ball fifty in a match where only one other player has passed 40. Chris Jordan offered support, hitting just nine runs but hanging around for 55 balls, and Gareth Batty then helped his captain add 28 runs in five overs before the close.

So a lead of 152 runs with four wickets and three sessions remaining, a pitch offering varying bounce and conditions tomorrow which, if they don't force the players from the field, are likely to offer swing, a result now seems likely. If the rain stays away, you'll want to be at the Oval one way or another tomorrow.

Struggles with the bat continue on a day for the bowlers

Surrey closed day two (after day one was completely washed out) teetering on 123-7 as their struggles with the bat at Lord's came back to haunt them at their home ground.

The day's play started on time and Chris Adams sprung something of a surprise in sending Jason Roy out to bat with Steven Davies. A not unwelcome surprise I might add. Roy began the day briskly but not without offering chances, three edges went between slip and gully from Alan Richardson's first couple of overs. Richardson would go on to taunt Surrey throughout the day with his usual tricky seaming and swinging deliveries.

Roy and Davies had though put on 48 together and the session was tending towards Surrey. However the next ten overs saw the morning sliding inexorably towards Worcestershire. First Davies nibbled at a ball from Richardson to give the 'keeper a catch and Richard Jones then served up two very good deliveries to send back first Ramprakash and then Hamilton-Brown.

Maynard and de Bruyn took Surrey to a rain-induced lunch sitting uncomfortably on 69-4. This was made all the more uncomfortable as Wisden Cricketer of the Year Richardson took centre stage again as De Bruyn edged one to the 'keeper immediately after the break. Surrey had slipped from 48-0 to 69-5.

Chris Jordan joined Maynard and as they gained in confidence they began to forge an entertaining partnership. Maynard seemed determined to counter attack and between the 28th and 31st over between them they scored 34 runs. There were more than a couple of edges amongst them but it was probably the right approach in the circumstances.

Rain intervened again and the players were off for three hours of the afternoon and evening sessions. The break came at precisely the wrong moment from Surrey's perspective as Jordan and Maynard were rattling along nicely. A brief spell of three overs were managed towards the end of the day, during which Surrey contrived to lose a further two wickets. Maynard was LBW again, to Richardson and Jordan was clean bowled by the same man just minutes before they were off for rain again.

Worcestershire's main man ended the day with an impressive haul of 5-42. Overhead conditions and a pitch that had sweated under the covers in rainy conditions for over 24 hours made for a very tough day for Surrey's batsmen. Not to mention some excellent bowling from Richardson and Jones, and an on-and-off day which disrupts a batsman's concentration and allows the bowlers a rest. The forecast over the next couple of days makes a result unlikely in this game, and with our first innings in tatters even batting bonus points also look to be a pipe dream at the moment.

I imagine Batty, Meaker and Lewis will be given license to attack the bowling tomorrow morning, and in any case I don't think the three of them would play any other way! The bowlers will relish the chance to take on Worcestershire's batsmen in similar conditions to today, and will want bowling bonus points squarely in the bag.

Adams sticks to his guns for Worcestershire match

Chris Adams has gamely refused to bow to the pressure created by a dispiriting defeat to Middlesex, naming the set of players who travelled to the Home of Cricket last week. Jacques Rudolph was a late withdrawal due to family reasons. It is of course right that he is given the time and space to deal with the personal issues affecting him.

The squad and possible XI is as follows:

Rory Hamilton-Brown
Steven Davies
Mark Ramprakash
Zander de Bruyn
Tom Maynard
Jason Roy
Chris Jordan
Gareth Batty
Jon Lewis
Stuart Meaker
Jade Dernbach

12th man: Tim Linley

I think Adams is right to resist major changes, Hamilton-Brown and Lewis aside no one really impressed at Lord's but it was a very tricky pitch, the likes of which we probably won't encounter again this season. The absence of Rudolph does though mean that the issue of who will open rears its ugly head again. Chris Jordan was the man tasked with the job in the game against Sussex and while he didn't fail completely, he certainly didn't look at ease in that position. Adams may want to stick by his man, but I would personally prefer Hamilton-Brown or de Bruyn is given the job temporarily.

The only question mark remaining is which of Tim Linley or Stuart Meaker gets the nod. There was no indication that Meaker's omission from the Lord's game was injury related so he should be ready and raring to go. Once into his stride Linley didn't bowl badly in the first innings and was barely needed in the second, but there's that niggling feeling that a fired up Meaker might have dealt with the Sussex tail better last week. Meaker also offers more with the bat.

Adams could elect to omit an allrounder and play Meaker and Linley. I think this unlikely, the tail is already too long with Jordan at seven, he or Batty any higher in the order than they currently are would not be a good idea. While the pair didn't have the best game at Lord's, Batty got good turn at the Oval vs Sussex and is needed to keep the over rate down - this cost us a penalty point against Middlesex.

Jason Roy should get his chance and will hopefully seize it with both hands. His last couple of Second XI innings have produced runs but not in huge number. A haul of runs might have a knock-on effect on Mark Ramprakash. The rumblings about Ramps have been ongoing for some time and an impressive game from Roy will probably amplify these.

Worcestershire are a dangerous side. In their only Championship game this season they shot out a strong Nottinghamshire side for 118, before Notts turned it around in their second innings. The usual suspects will pose a challenge for Surrey, the likes of Moeen, Solanki, Klinger and Kervezee in the batting and newly crowned Cricketer of the Year Alan Richardson spearheading the bowling.

The team spirit of this side is readily acknowledged so while the loss to Middlesex will have hurt, they won't dwell on it. They will expect to beat Worcestershire but won't take it as a given. The weather might stand in their way though, the forecast is for consistent rain over the next few days so it could be a fight over first innings bonus points.

Middlesex ambush sees Surrey to defeat

The task of seeing Surrey to victory was at least as tricky as expected and in the end we came up three runs short as Middlesex pulled off an impressive heist.

In reality this is a game we should have won, but Hamilton-Brown may look back on his decision to bowl first as the moment where ultimately the game was lost. Yesterday and today saw the pitch become almost unplayable as 25 wickets went down for next to nothing. Batting last was always going to be a tough ask.

Plenty happened in between the toss and Jade Dernbach's ill-advised shot just after midday though. When we'd reduced the opposition to 129-7 we really should've stepped on the throat but Middlesex resisted expertly. Similarly if only we could've cobbled together another five runs in our first innings we might've had a different ending.

This morning Maynard and Hamilton-Brown would have been tasked with ticking off the remaining 46 runs but neither lasted the course. The captain was more tentative than last night perhaps wary of being seen to be overly aggressive on a very difficult surface. In the end the final six wickets fell for just 36 runs, six more than Middlesex's final six second innings wickets managed, but not enough to get us over the line. It was a high pressure situation with relatively few runs required, but I think some of the decisions to take singles very early in the over cost us dear today.

I think Adams may rue his decision to select two allrounders who contributed 12 runs and three wickets over the four days. If de Bruyn is going to play such a prominent role in games such as these, do we really need five alternatives? Meaker may also have been more adept in finishing off Middlesex's tail on day one but with the conditions as they were Adams could be forgiven for thinking Linley was the better option.

It's incredibly frustrating to lose a game by such a tiny margin and maybe it is unfair to be overly critical. I think the selection was wrong, but a margin of three runs across the match suggests it wasn't disastrously so. An incredibly difficult surface and opposition bowlers who did very little wrong make for very competitive cricket, but that's what division one is all about.

A defeat is a blow but the cricket comes thick and fast now. The players will dust themselves off and come back next week expecting to put this loss out of their minds.

Game in the balance into the final day

After a day's cricket that can only be described, for the most part in any case, as painful to listen to Surrey have their noses just ahead on 95-4, needing 46 runs to win.

In all 19 wickets fell on day three as the wicket became increasingly difficult to predict with the ball seaming extravagantly. Surrey's final five first innings wickets fell in quick time and in the end it was a collapse of ten wickets for 137 runs. Of the final six batsmen only Jon Lewis made it into double figures.

As if to emphasise the deterioration of the pitch Middlesex bettered that collapse losing all ten wickets for just 106 runs in less than 36 overs. Zander de Bruyn, again handed the new ball, this time repaid his captain's faith with two wickets in the first six overs. Hats off to Hamilton-Brown for sticking with the plan.

Malan and Robson then steadied the ship somewhat with a partnership of 36 before the carnage began. Jon Lewis in particular ran riot with 5-41 as the final eight Middlesex wickets tumbled for 41 runs. Dernbach chipped in with the important wickets of Robson and Malan while the other three bowlers were barely needed.

That gave Middlesex a lead of 140, not substantial under normal circumstances but since Rudolph and Davies' partnership twenty wickets had fallen for just 243 runs. These were far from normal circumstances.

Surrey's chase was only five overs old before the first wicket went down, that of Rudolph for six, swiftly followed an over later by Davies for eight. Ramprakash endured another tough stay at the crease but was gone six overs later leaving Surrey tottering at 22-3. 141 looked an awfully long way off.

That left de Bruyn and the skipper knowing they had plenty of work to do and they responded with a positive partnership of 46, driven mostly by Hamilton-Brown. Collymore then accounted for de Bruyn and the game was firmly back in the balance, 68-4 with 73 still needed.

Tom Maynard and Hamilton-Brown, the rescuers against Sussex, were again positive and an unbeaten partnership of 27 saw Surrey through to close. The captain went to an impressive 50 in the process. The only other scores of 50+ in the game have been scored at a rate of no more than 43 runs per hundred balls, Hamilton-Brown's was scored at a rate of over 90 runs per hundred balls.

So with only 46 runs required it would be tempting to say it will be simple enough for Surrey, but 19 wickets in a day says otherwise. Hamilton-Brown and Maynard will need to start all over again in the morning, and the pitch is unlikely to be any friendlier. The pair will look to attack and in Jordan, Batty and Lewis we have three batsmen to come who aren't likely to block out many overs. It could go one of two ways, but either way it probably won't take long. Here's hoping we make it two wins out of two.