Surrey vs Somerset 21st-24th April

The ECB said Curran could only bowl 15 overs across the whole four days? What's the bloody point?

Anyway, come on the Rey!

Given England don't have a head coach and the director of cricket has only been there for 5 minutes, I wonder who gave the order that Curran can only bowl 15 overs?

Relieved and pleased to see Foakes back behind the stumps.

We have taken all 20 wickets for two games in a row. When did that last happen? This is promising.

After doing the first 3 days i couldn't haul my aching limbs out of bed today.Enjoying it (apart from Church's commentary) on the excellent live stream.

Ryan Patel you are an absolute star

Alex! wrote:Ryan Patel you are an absolute star

He’s been excellent this season so far and making the most of the faith management have shown in him by not offering great renewal terms to Stoneman. Also worth noting that he wasn’t even in some peoples teams on here to start the season.

YOU ABSOLUTE BEAUTIES!

When the fixtures came out in January, would any of us have predicted 7 full days of uninterrupted championship cricket (save the occasional slightly early finish for bad light) at The Oval in April? Even if you were optimistic enough to predict the dry weather, you would never have predicted that Surrey would beat both Hampshire and Somerset.

Yet here we are, sitting proudly at the head of the table ahead of matches against (in theory) the three weakest teams in the division: Gloucestershire, Northants and Kent.

We have benefitted from having all of our international batsmen and wicket-keeper available, which creates real competition for places. While Rory Burns hasn't scored many yet, the others (especially Ryan Patel) have stepped up and we can be sure Rory will come to the party soon.

We have won the last two matches despite our bowling resources being stretched by injuries both before and during the game. Should we select Sam Curran if he is allowed by the ever-vindictive ECB to bowl no more than 15 overs in the game? It's a tough one. Yes, he scored a fine 80 in the first innings, but as I have said we have genuine competition for batting places. Unless Sam's quota is going to be increased next time I would give him a blow and either recall Jamie Smith or retain Will Jacks, to allow us to pick five fit front-line bowlers who can share the load.

We presumably have Dan Worrall available this week, but Church confirmed on the live stream that Surrey would be actively looking for a Kemar Roach replacement. It is tempting to question whether we need one, but I believe we do. Topley, Overton and Clark all bowled really well here, but we must not overwork the first two of those: we need them fit, and at the rate our bowlers are getting injured we cannot assume they will stay that way. At such short notice, with the IPL still in full swing, there will be few available options: I am not aware that Kyle Jamieson is otherwise engaged, and I would love to see him back for the next few games after such an unfortunate end to his all too brief spell with us. He would be a real handful in May conditions.

Got a little bit tight in the end,good job Foakes was fit to bat. Excellent performance considering we were a bowler short yet again!! Another decent pitch again, always something in the wicket for good bowlers. Well done Groundsman!

I do feel that there is a better spirit this season, possibly the Batty/Burns leadership has instilled that. To win with an attack far short of our best is very pleasing, bowlers like Taylor stepping up. Patel has seemed greatly improved since his Guildford heroics last year, perhaps that gave him confidence. I do not like the omission of Smith who I regard as a real prospect, I would prefer him to Amla if we cannot find another spot. I do wonder if this might be a season too far for Amla, but I hope he proves me wrong, his fielding is getting arthritic though.

offdrive4 wrote:I do feel that there is a better spirit this season, possibly the Batty/Burns leadership has instilled that.   To win with an attack far short of our best is very pleasing, bowlers like Taylor stepping up.   Patel has seemed greatly improved since his Guildford heroics last year, perhaps that gave him confidence.   I do not like the omission of Smith who I regard as a real prospect, I would prefer him to Amla if we cannot find another spot.  I do wonder if this might be a season too far for Amla, but I hope he proves me wrong, his fielding is getting arthritic though.

Hopefully there will be a place for Jamie. But a very encouraging start

No Virdi in the 12 for the 2s match in Durham, which suggests he ‘might’ be in the squad for Gloucestershire.

Cee Gee wrote:No Virdi in the 12 for the 2s match in Durham, which suggests he ‘might’ be in the squad for Gloucestershire.

Got a link please? I thought it was (and am going) to Guildford!

FOUND IT...............................

Ahh yes, apologises - it’s in Guildford. Enjoy!

Had me worried for a minute!

He got 50 no. in last 2nd xi game.

Steel and Patel are the first to get criticised give them the time and patience and they will come good.