Hampshire at the Oval 13th-16th April

Well as I write weather looks ok bar light rain on Friday. But as usual the forecast is very changeable. I would expect the same squad as last week. Let's hope the pitch is better, it couldn't be worse than that Old Trafford road. Looking forward to it.

A draw was a respectable outcome away to the strongest opponents, but we need to resume our winning ways at home. Hampshire started with a win, but we have beaten them comprehensively by an innings at home the last two years (both in April) so no reason to fear them.

Same squad - Lawes for Patel the only change to the line-up that screams out.

Let's bat first,score 1200 and bowl them out twice.

No hang on,let's make it 1400 to make sure we have enough.

Forcast good tomorrow. Doesn't look good for Friday

Here's my preview for this one: http://www.ovalworld-online.com/prevsurhamcc2023.htm

Surrey v Hampshire f-c stats sheet: http://www.ovalworld-online.com/fc_stats_surrey_hampshire.pdf

Jackers wrote:A draw was a respectable outcome away to the strongest opponents, but we need to resume our winning ways at home. Hampshire started with a win, but we have beaten them comprehensively by an innings at home the last two years (both in April) so no reason to fear them.

Same squad - Lawes for Patel the only change to the line-up that screams out.

Would like to see Tom Lawes playing as he can make things happen.

Angus French wrote:

Jackers wrote:A draw was a respectable outcome away to the strongest opponents, but we need to resume our winning ways at home. Hampshire started with a win, but we have beaten them comprehensively by an innings at home the last two years (both in April) so no reason to fear them.

Same squad - Lawes for Patel the only change to the line-up that screams out.

Would like to see Tom Lawes playing as he can make things happen.

Hi Angus - yep although I like to think that could be said of most of our players.

My gut feel is that you may need to wait another match before seeing Lawes in action. Nothing against Lawes at all - he was in ''my team'' for last week's opener. Just suspect that Stewie & Bats will want to give the same eleven another opportunity although, if not, Patel is surely the one to make way for him.

Btw and as usual, there's an excellent preview above from Marcus highlighting in particular Hants' seam bowling strength.

Well, it's a bit chilly

Incredibly disappointed to see the seats around the sightscreen cordoned off again; was never an issue before for Championship fixtures, and as someone who favours sitting behind the bowlers arm it spoils it a bit

Suspect some of the batters objected.

Hampshire win toss and bowl. 0 from 2 for Rory on that front.

Surrey
1 17 RJ Burns*
2 45 DP Sibley
3 32 OJD Pope
4 26 RS Patel
5 11 JL Smith†
6 44 CT Steel
7 16 J Clark
8 77 SA Abbott
9 30 TE Lawes
10 66 KAJ Roach
11 8 DJ Worrall

Back complaint for Foakes, apparently.

Hampshire
1 3 FS Organ
2 19 FS Middleton
3 31 NRT Gubbins
4 14 JM Vince*
5 8 LA Dawson
6 10 BC Brown†
7 22 IG Holland
8 13 KHD Barker
9 26 JK Fuller
10 87 KJ Abbott
11 38 M Abbas

Never seen that before - the toss has been “corrected” and now Hampshire will bat.

Given Hampshire themselves tweeted they were bowling it is an odd one.

The weather will be the only winner another draw.

Kemar has been right on the money so far ....

Oh dear Middlesex, it’s happening again!

Come on the Rey!

Maybe Hampshire should have bowled first after all!

Excuse my language but Tom Lawes is a fucking good cricketer

Angus French wrote:

Jackers wrote:A draw was a respectable outcome away to the strongest opponents, but we need to resume our winning ways at home. Hampshire started with a win, but we have beaten them comprehensively by an innings at home the last two years (both in April) so no reason to fear them.

Same squad - Lawes for Patel the only change to the line-up that screams out.

Would like to see Tom Lawes playing as he can make things happen.

That's a good start for Lawes and you Angus! You can share Dawson's wicket with him.

Another new thing - scanning membership cards for the membership areas; just another thing you have to queue for. Sigh.

guildfordbat wrote:

Angus French wrote:

Jackers wrote:A draw was a respectable outcome away to the strongest opponents, but we need to resume our winning ways at home. Hampshire started with a win, but we have beaten them comprehensively by an innings at home the last two years (both in April) so no reason to fear them.

Same squad - Lawes for Patel the only change to the line-up that screams out.

Would like to see Tom Lawes playing as he can make things happen.

That's a good start for Lawes and you Angus! You can share Dawson's wicket with him.

I'm celebrating with a pint of Surrey Hills' Shere Drop which, for my money, is in as good form as the Surrey bowlers.

Would take bowling them out for 250 odd

Had to put the live stream commentary on mute.
Felix White every 5 mins Jimmy or Tail Enders!!
Get Churchy back.

As I said before the season started, Tom Lawes would already be one of the first names on my team sheet. I think leaving him out at Old Trafford was a bizarre decision.  He just makes things happen, regardless of how helpful the pitch may be. And he is already capable of batting at 7, with potential to become a genuine all-rounder.

Just watched the last  few overs after working today.
Those fellas on the stream are getting on my t*ts.
What on earth is going on here ?
Churchy please......

Rather disappointed in the pitch,fine until Lunch,but got lower and slower afterwards.Still would have been happy with that score at the end of the day!

Steve wrote:Had to put the live stream commentary on mute.
Felix White every 5 mins Jimmy or Tail Enders!!
Get Churchy back.

I had no idea who they were. Thought they were a couple of schoolkids on work experience over the Easter hols.