Where is Worrall?
Despite the absences caused by international call ups and franchise cricket, Surrey have managed to still field teams packed with talent and the same could be said about the side that struggled against Essex last week. However one notable absenteee was their leading wicket taker from the last three successful Championship campaigns, Dan Worrall. This was all the more surprising as he had been named in their 13-player squad. The Cricketer reported that Surrey’s only comment was that “We’re just trying to get him right” and while there may be a number of reasons why Worrall did not participate, the one gaining most traction was England wanting him rested. Worrall will qualify to play for England in time for the Zimbabwe Test starting on 22 May and it seems likely that the 33-year-old Australian will soon be sporting the three Lions.
He was certainly missed last week as Essex piled up 582/6 declared in their first innings. Kemar Roach was a late signing to cover the first four games, presumabaly with the knowledge that Worrall may be otherwise engaged, while Kiwi international Nathan Smith is not arriving until the start of May. They do have the services of Matthew Fisher, signed from Yorkshire, but Tom Lawes is out with injury and Gus Atkinson may or may not be made available by England for this game.
Despite their seam bowling resources, Surrey have struggled to find a top class spin option, leading to the parachuting in of Shakib Al Hasan last September, for one match. Cam Steel, who performed so well for them at the start of last season is out injured and they relied on Dan Lawrence against Essex. The other option would be Will Jacks, but he is in the IPL alongside Sam Curran, Jamie Overton and Reece Topley.
Batting is not an issue for Surrey with a top six that have all played Test cricket for England, past or present.
Hampshire will be full of confidence after their five wicket win against newly promoted Yorkshire and they have all the bowling bases covered. There is the ever reliable Kyle Abbott alongside Kiwi quick Brett Hampton, who is available for the first two months of the season after all-rounder Jack Edwards was ruled out through injury. Brad Wheal was in the wickets against Yorkshire and Sonny Baker, having moved from Somerset, adds pace. They can also call on the likes of Scott Currie, who performed so well for Leicestershire on loan last season, John Turner, James Fuller and Keith Barker.
Hampshire also have a real spin threat in Liam Dawson, who took 3/8 in the Yorkshire first innings last week.
Hampshire have countered the loss of James Vince from their red ball side, with the recruitment of Mark Stoneman, who fills the problem spot at the top of the order alongside Fletcha Middleton. With NIck Gubbins at three and the experience of Dawson and Ben Brown down the order, they have a strong enough batting line up to again be a real contender for the title this season.
On the performances of last week, Hampshire might be considered favourites, but it will depend very much on who Surrey can put out on the field, particularly in the bowling department.
Key Players
Kemar Roach has been a reliable performer for Surrey over the last four seasons and in the absence of a number of Surrey’s key bowlers, will be expected to take wickets with the new ball. At 36, he is coming to the end of a fine career, having now taken 568 first class wickets at 26.22 and still features in the West Indies Test side, for whom he has taken 284 wickets.
Liam Dawson keeps scoring runs and taking wickets for Hampshire and many wonder why he isn’t allowed to do the same for England. If Hampshire are in the mix for the top spot at the end of the season, they will undoubtedly be indebted to the efforts of the 35-year-old spin bowling all rounder.
Team news
Lawes and Steel are injured, while we will have to wait to see who England make available to Surrey.
Surrey squad (from): Rory Burns (c), Gus Atkinson, Jordan Clark, Matt Fisher, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Yousef Majid, Ryan Patel, Ollie Pope, Kemar Roach, Dom Sibley, Jamie Smith, James Taylor, Dan Worrall
Hampshire will be keen to field an unchanged side, although they have the resources to rotate their seam bowlers.
Hampshire squad (probable): Ben Brown (c, wk), Kyle Abbott, Toby Albert, Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, James Fuller, Nick Gubbins, Brett Hampton, Fletcha Middleton, Tom Prest, Mark Stoneman, John Turner, Brad Wheal
Weather and Conditions
While the forecast is for it to remain sunny and dry up to and including the first two days, with temperatures in the twenties, showers may interrupt the last two days.
Batters always enjoy playing at the Oval, so bowlers will have to work for their wickets.
Date: 11th April 2025
Time: 11:00
Ground: The Kia Oval, Kennington, London
