Surrey v Middlesex at the Oval - 20-23 May

Here's my preview of the LVCC clash between @surreycricket and @Middlesex_CCC which gets underway at the Oval today. http://ovalworld-online.com/prevsurmidcc2021.htm

First-class stats sheet for @surreycricket vs @Middlesex_CCC http://ovalworld-online.com/fc_stats_surrey_middlesex.pdf

Time to go gung-ho with the bat or sit in this afternoon and give it the beans in the morning?

Well, this is lovely. A new forum

As for the game itself, think we'll need at the very minimum 180 before saying we could be in a winning position...

Definitely has the potential to be a great final day, especially for those with tickets.

If we can make 200 and not lose too much time tomorrow we have a chance of winning this. Anyone who thought Betways 6/4 for the draw at the start was "free money" may just be getting nervous!

Good start from Surrey here. Fairly rocketing along at more than 4 an over so far.

To be in that position after the first two days is somewhat remarkable; think we've got to thank Roach in particular who bowled some absolute beauties. Solid from Burns and Stoneman as well.

As per my earlier comment about a total I'd think about getting 250 or so then going for it; weather forecast looks dodgy to say the least.

I hope there's a declaration before lunch. It's possible to get to a 250ish lead and still leave half an hour or so for Middlesex to bat before lunch.

Jackers wrote:If we can make 200 and not lose too much time tomorrow we have a chance of winning this. Anyone who thought Betways 6/4 for the draw at the start was "free money" may just be getting nervous!

Hi Jackers - If I was a betting man, I would certainly have fancied those odds on Wednesday night. Perhaps fortunately for me, I don't bet and don't plan to start until I see a poor bookie! Even though the weather may still force the draw, I'm particularly glad now that I don't have money on the outcome.

Weather forecast seems to be ok for tomorrow, I would advise against giving Middlesex A sniff in this game. 250 plus in about 66 overs is right. Bat all morning then bowl post lunch.

Two century opening stands-when was the last time that happened. That's more like it.

With both openers getting 50 in both innings - 1991.

Stoneman out trying to smash a wide one. Hopefully a sign of intent this morning. 80-odd runs to get to push the lead to 250.

Good to see Hanscomb tie his ridiculous mullet back.

Strange tactics from Surrey, from the last 20 minutes yesterday to the first half hour today. Burns took 25mins to add 5 and Amla is taking his time.

We should have 20 more runs on the board by now, even if we'd lost another wicket.

Nice to see a few of the Pavilion regulars getting a few close-ups on the TV coverage!

Agree it’s a little too circumspect, especially since we have nothing to lose. That said, maybe we’ll increase after the first hour - we already have 200 on the board more or less.

Yes, seems a bit odd. Tempting to put Ricki up the order to smash some quick runs instead of Amla coming in.

I doubt the weather will allow a finish today, but let us hope! I do wonder if the managements attention was less on providing payers for England and more on winning games for Surrey would we be more successful?

offdrive4 wrote:I doubt the weather will allow a finish today, but let us hope!  I do wonder if the managements attention was less on providing payers for England and more on winning games for Surrey would we be more successful?

I was interested in Gould's criticism of the franchise tournaments, when they reran the Atherton interview yesterday. It seems that the perceived issue from the club is that centrally contracted players making way for England are fine, and a by-product of producing good players, but that the T20 (and now Hundred) tournaments are now extremely frustrating on top of this.

Not quite sure what we're playing at here, get a move on!

Well played, Rory. Brilliant. Now err, give it a tap

Looks like Pope is giving it some now.

Popey is such a talent

We have more than enough now. Thank you...

Will Middlesex employ a lunchwatchman? (TM Robert Croft)

It certainly feels like this game is petering out into a draw now. A decent enough attempt to try to force the win after a rubbish first innings by both batting sides. Middlesex were never likely to be in a position to go for the win, so brownie points there too.