SURREY vs DERBYSHIRE LV=COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

SURREY HAVE NAMED A TWELVE MAN SQUAD FOR THEIR LV=COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AGAINST DERBYSHIRE STARTING AT THE KIA OVAL ON TUESDAY.
Kumar Sangakkara returns to the squad having recently played his final Test Match for Sri Lanka.Jason Roy is unavailable having been selected by England for the One Day Series against Australia.
The Surrey squad to play Derbyshire in the LV=County Championship at the Kia Oval on Tuesday 1st September, Wednesday 2nd September, Thursday 3rd September and Friday 4th September :
Gareth Batty (capt)
Zafar Ansari
James Burke
Rory Burns
Sam Curran
Tom Curran
Steven Davies
Jade Dernbach
Ben Foakes
Arun Harinath
Kumar Sangakkara
Gary Wilson
can't see dunn in that 12 guildford #itk
tough to call this one a good argument for wilson,burke or harinath to miss out
over to you chaps

Thanks, JimBob.

Well, I did tell you before I wasn't #itk!  Still very surprised though that Matt Dunn's not in the twelve and suspect that he'll be more than cheesed off.

I think Harinath will be safe. Probably between Simon's pal Wilson and your mate Burke as to who misses out. Maybe Burkey favourite to be on drinks duties!

Oh hush, guildford, you cheeky monkey. I don't not rate Harold, I just feel he has not been up to par most of this year and that Foakes is a better option at the moment with gloves and bat. I'd be as pleased as anyone if Harold played, made runs and made some smart dismissals behind the stumps.

Oh hush, guildford, you cheeky monkey. I don't not rate Harold, I just feel he has not been up to par most of this year and that Foakes is a better option at the moment with gloves and bat. I'd be as pleased as anyone if Harold played, made runs and made some smart dismissals behind the stumps.

Simon - that's fair enough. Any cheek on my part was based on you summoning a taxi for Wilson on the v Kent RL 50 thread!

If the pitch is predicted to take spin then the obvious option would be to leave out Burke.

Noteworthy that most of the Surrey batsmen have excellent, or at least fairly healthy, batting averages in Div 2 this season.

Pieterson: Av 156 (469 runs)
Davies:           65 (720)
Foakes            62 (499)
Elgar               54 (161)
Harinath          52 (516)
Sam Curran     51 (103)
Burns             50 (803)
Le Roi             48 (629)
Sanga             44 (623)
Harold             43 (596)
Ansari             30 (566)

Of the proper batsmen, really only Sibley with a batting average of 24 from 6 matches could be regarded as a real disappointment. A couple of batsmen (Solanki and Kapil) had lower averages, but both of these only played one match. While Ansari's batting average is a bit of a disappointment his bowling has come on greatly.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Noteworthy that most of the Surrey batsmen have excellent, or at least fairly healthy, batting averages in Div 2 this season.

Pieterson: Av 156 (469 runs)
Davies:           65 (720)
Foakes            62 (499)
Elgar               54 (161)
Harinath          52 (516)
Sam Curran     51 (103)
Burns             50 (803)
Le Roi             48 (629)
Sanga             44 (623)
Harold             43 (596)
Ansari             30 (566)

Of the proper batsmen, really only Sibley with a batting average of 24 from 6 matches could be regarded as a real disappointment. A couple of batsmen (Solanki and Kapil) had lower averages, but both of these only played one match. While Ansari's batting average is a bit of a disappointment his bowling has come on greatly.

Fascinating stats, Corporal. thanks! It would be interesting to see the bowling figures, too. Our main attack is now made up of players several of whom apparently were nowhere near the first team only a few months ago.It also begs the question as to who is likely to have had enough and be on their way elsewhere at the end of the season.

Simon - thanks.  Here's the highlights of the bowling so far in Div 2. The figures are striking not least for the contributions made by Tom Curran and Ansari.  Tremlett has of course retired, but the figures for the other formerly main Surrey bowlers - Meaker, Viscount and Dernbach - are ones that probably would not have been predicted a couple of seasons ago.  (Tbf Dernbach has played a useful role in 50 over comp since coming back from injury.)

Burke           18.3 (av)  15 (wickets) 3.4 (econ)
Fletcher        19.4          8               2.9
Sam Curran  21.3         11              4.0
Tom Curran  25.5         54              3.3
Harinath       27.0           1              2.0
Batty           27.0         30              2.7
Ansari          32.4         39              3.3
Kapil            34.0          2               5.7
Dunn           36.0          21              3.8
Tremlett       36.5           6              3.2
Le Roi          38.7           3              4.7
Meaker         56.2           5              4.6
Viscount       67.0          1               3.3
Dernbach     102.0         2               2.5

A number of surprises there. I felt Curran Minor had taken more CC wickets, and am surprised 'The Bun' (his brother -> 'CurranT') has taken so many. Good to see our Old and Young spin twins taking wickets regularly at a good economy rate and reasonable average: takes the pressure off our young quicks. I agree Jade D is shaping up now more as a canny old 50 over senior pro (when Coles isn't mullering him towards Clapham Jct - you had to be there last Thursday fully to appreciate that comment).

On the down side, I wouldn't be surprised to see the Viscount finally fall out of love with us and go and do a great job elsewhere, a la Tim Murtagh; while Meaker surely is a big question mark too.

Finally, I could have sworn we signed a gentleman by the name of Balcombe last winter - the new Jon Lewis?

Uh-oh - it's   suddenly started absolutely chucking it down in W Twickenham, and the weather today is meant to be coming from the south west.

derbyshire win toss and bat
dernbach misses out

Burkey's inclusion does seem to have been a late change of plan. On cricinfo, he's listed as number 11 - that's where Dernbach would have batted. Burkey normally goes in at 7 or 8 (although, admittedly, he hasn't justified that recently).

On paper at least, we have a decent tail - spots 8 to 11 being taken by Burkey, Batty and the two Currans.

On a purely selfish level, having organised my diary such that I can hopefully finally get to see a day's cricket involving Surrey this Thursday, I am pleased that Derbyshire will be batting first...shame about the delay but hoping that this means at least there should be some cricket to see on Thursday....hoping to meet up with some of the 606 crowd!

baby face taking some punishment at the moment

Only one wicket taken but the hundred is up, loads of chances not taken. Sounds like we couldn't catch a train at Waterloo at the moment

128 - 2 at tea, with a second wicket (Slater) for Ansari.  Let's hope we can make a few more inroads after the break.

A disappointing start. However, in the absence of Olly, I'll look on the bright side and say that (on paper) Derbys don't bat deep. Teenage keeper Harvey Hosein (wonderful name) is at 6 with a fc average of just 17. He's then followed by a young leggie and a gaggle of seamers*.

* One of them - Ben Cotton - almost got a shout from me on the Young Players to Look Out For thread before I gave the kiss of death to poor Salter of Glamorgan.

4th wkt for son of boris

jimbobgooner wrote:4th wkt for son of boris

...who, very wisely - given earlier comment about the number of chances that had gone down - trusted no-one else to help in any of the dismissals

#ansariforengland is a foregone conclusion for the UAE tour surely

Olly wrote:#ansariforengland is a foregone conclusion for the UAE tour surely

Nope, Olly, I'm not so sure. I suspect the Selectors' minds are thinking more of Moeen and Rashid, with possibly a right arm spinner too. I'm afraid that, at present, they see Zaf as Rashid-lite in all forms of the game, ie possibly the next left armer/all rounder in line, should Rashid not be available.

I reckon Zaf will go on the 'A' Tour - with Le Roy and possibly Curran Major. I'd like to see Interestiong but I fear that, much as we at Surrey believe he deserves a further call up at sonme level, that particular 'England Honours' ship has sailed.

The word at the Oval on Thursday night was that Zaf's name is certainly in the hat for those being considered for the UAE tour.

Mind you, that's where and when I was assured Matt Dunn would be in the squad for this match.

I have it on good authority #ansariforengland will be on the tour, and if they decide to play 3 spinners he will play

Olly wrote:I have it on good authority #ansariforengland will be on the tour, and if they decide to play 3 spinners he will play

Hmm! I'm thinking that England are unlikely to take four front line spinners to UAE.  So, in the (unlikely?) event that England decide to play 3 spinners in one match, as a matter of logic rather than of insider tips, all the spinners taken on that tour would be picked for that match.

Corporal - any idea when England last played 3 (main) spinners in one match? I can't recall it.

guildfordbat wrote:Corporal - any idea when England last played 3 (main) spinners in one match? I can't recall it.

This extract from a column written by Derek Pringle in Dec 2003, before the Sri Lanka v England test match at Galle throws some light on the subject [my added smiley!]:

"In an era when spinners in county cricket are a rare breed, it seems almost unconstitutional for England to pick three tomorrow, but that is what captain Michael Vaughan was hinting at once he and coach Duncan Fletcher had seen the pitch. Ashley Giles, Gareth Batty and Robert Croft may not be names to strike fear into Test batsmen around the world, but they could be the men to ensure England leave here, if not with a win, then at least with a draw.
"The pitch is very dry much as it was 2.5 years ago, despite all the rain recently," said Vaughan, whose arrival on Saturday coincided with the first of several tropical downpours. "We've got another 24 hours to consider our options and unless the pitch changes, which is unlikely, three spinners is one of them."
The last time England played three specialist tweakers was against Pakistan in 1987, a Test which became more famous for Mike Gatting's spat with umpire Shakoor Rana than the twirling trio of John Emburey, Nick Cook and Eddie Hemmings. The game ended as a draw."

In the event only two spinners, Giles and Batty, played in the 2003 Galle Test, and England hung on - just - for a draw.

...but there was of course one test (Edgbaston 1967) when India played all four high class spinners they had at the time - Bedi, Chandra, Venkat and Prasanna.

Thanks, Corporal. Showing my senility I was aware of India playing their famous quartet in '67 but had forgotten about England's esteemed trio of Embers, Cook and Hemmings 20 years later!

Early September ... 10:30 start today ... you have to fancy the Curran brothers to do some damage ...

see Olly, even old gits can think positively!

Does this count? Patel more of an all-rounder I suppose in every sense of the word!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/521225.html

VTR wrote:Does this count? Patel more of an all-rounder I suppose in every sense of the word!

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/521225.html

That's a good question VTR.  Whilst Swann and Panesar were clearly England's primary spinners in the match, Patel bowled 9 overs in both Sri Lanka innings and I imagine was clearly selected with a view to being England's fifth bowler.  So I think that probably does count as a rare example of England fielding three spinners.

VTR - that's an excellent (heavy weight? ) shout!

At risk of encouraging Olly even further, a spin trio of Moeen, Rashid and Ansari definitely shouldn't weaken England's batting. Still don't see it as at all likely though. Whilst all three have some likelihood of boarding the UAE plane, I feel stories of a ticket already being printed with Zaf's name on it are exaggerated.

Yes agreed he will in the frame, but if he did go, you would be taking two spinners with no caps between them. I could see Ansari on the Lions tour to work on his game following a breakthrough season.

I suppose in this day and age we would never see 3 spinners play who can't hold a bat to the extent one or two couldn't be classed as an all-rounder or at least a decent number 8. So I think the example with Patel playing is the modern day version of having 3 spinners

#ansariforengland fir England will be in the UAE this winter - I've got it on good authority goddammit

(Injury providing of course)

He's really highly thought of in the England ranks

Olly wrote:#ansariforengland fir England will be in the UAE this winter - I've got it on good authority goddammit

(Injury providing of course)

He's really highly thought of in the England ranks

Olly - I don't doubt your last sentence for a moment. I've said before that Stewie has particularly emphasised that at members' forums.

That doesn't though guarantee him a place in a squad that is yet to be chosen. I go along with VTR that he's in the frame. A ton in this match would massively help your and - more importantly - his cause.

Meanwhile, a couple of wickets for Surrey this morning, one each for Pitt the Younger and Burke.  Hughes out for 96.  240 - 7 after 87 overs, so 23 more overs to take two further wickets for the third bowling point.

We've kept the scoring rate down quite nicely so far - even at this stage I'd say

I agree with guildford that serious runs in this game would increase Zaf's chances of going to the UAE rather than with the Lions. It's his misfortune to be similar in ways to both the only two viable spin options England appear to have just now, ie a left armer who makes usefu;l runs - Rashid; or an opener/dangerous late middle order batsman who picks up valuable wickets - Ali.

Perversely, there's a part of me that almost hopes he goes on the Lions tour instead. If he goes to the UAE, the danger is he hones his drinks waiter skills. But if he plays for the Lions, he's almost guaranteed to be a first choice option and, therefore, have the chance to make a big impression in order to be banging even louder on the full England door come next season.

Irritatingly Critchley and Palladino are putting on some useful runs. About time we heard from King Dave ....

My semi- jinx worked! 8 down now as TC gets Palladino lbw.

Liked Churchy's comment about the new batsman - ''Here comes Mark Footitt dressed for winter.''

9 down and the third bowling point achieved

5 wickets for Tom Curran.     Derby all out 313.  Important that we make a solid reply.

Meanwhile, Lancs are being held up by Kent who are on 332 - 5 off 99 overs at lunch.

Kumar has just posted a picture of a willy on his Twitter.

Says it was hacked.

guildfordbat wrote:A disappointing start. However, in the absence of Olly, I'll look on the bright side and say that (on paper) Derbys don't bat deep. Teenage keeper Harvey Hosein (wonderful name) is at 6 with a fc average of just 17. He's then followed by a young leggie and a gaggle of seamers*.

* One of them - Ben Cotton - almost got a shout from me on the Young Players to Look Out For thread before I gave the kiss of death to poor Salter of Glamorgan.

313 all out. I would guess both sides would just about have settled for that at the start - Derbys maybe hoping for 40 more, us 40 less.

Even with the rather annoying runs from Critchley and Palladino, Derbys' numbers 6 to 11 didn't quite manage a ton between them. A few more than I was hoping would be the case but still I think supporting my doubts about their late middle order and tail.

The one and only real run scorer was Chesney. That's dedicated to my my much missed Cyber friend Goochie.

Good afternoon all, I've been MIA for around a fortnight so hope everyone is well.

I believe I've missed the wash out against Gloucs, frustrating as always but good to see That's All make a strong century whilst no-one else made 50, and the RL one day cup quarter final against Kent. Great to get the win but our failure to deal with the last few wickets appeared to reach fairly epic new heights with Coles hitting 9 6s batting at 8th drop!

On the current match, 313 all out certainly sets the game up nicely but we could and maybe should have kept them under 300. I fear that the weather could have more of a say in this match and if we want to force a result we may need Zaf, Third Degree and the Baron the impose themselves on the opening bowlers a bit more than usual and actively force the game on.

JimBob's wishes coming true - 3 bowling points and Zaf not opening the batting!

Welcome back, Carlos - your post is on the money.

guildfordbat wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:A disappointing start. However, in the absence of Olly, I'll look on the bright side and say that (on paper) Derbys don't bat deep. Teenage keeper Harvey Hosein (wonderful name) is at 6 with a fc average of just 17. He's then followed by a young leggie and a gaggle of seamers*.

* One of them - Ben Cotton - almost got a shout from me on the Young Players to Look Out For thread before I gave the kiss of death to poor Salter of Glamorgan.

313 all out. I would guess both sides would just about have settled for that at the start - Derbys maybe hoping for 40 more, us 40 less.

Even with the rather annoying runs from Critchley and Palladino, Derbys' numbers 6 to 11 didn't quite manage a ton between them. A few more than I was hoping would be the case but still I think supporting my doubts about their late middle order and tail.

The one and only real run scorer was Chesney. That's dedicated to my my much missed Cyber friend Goochie.

Was goochie your one and only Guildford?

Olly wrote:

Was goochie your one and only Guildford?

Always.

*hopes people got the chesney hawkes reference there*