Surrey v Derbyshire - Pro 40

Let's not forget we're unbeaten in this one too...

OK, two rain-offs helped, but it would be good to get on the pitch and keep the record going tomorrow.

John Morris has named the following 12:

Chris Rogers
Garry Park
Greg Smith
Wavell Hinds
Dan Redfern
John Sadler
Tom Poynton
Tom Lungley
Jake Needham
Ian Hunter
Nantie Hayward
Tim Groenewald

I suspect the top 11 will play and Groenewald will be saved for the Championship game the next day after bowling well at Canterbury. He's now top of the averages with 15 wickets at 23, so has earned a rest. The tail looks long with Poynton at 7, but he needs experience and won't get it in the pavilion. I thought we might have had Park as keeper, a role he filled at Durham, but Poynton got the nod.

The Surrey squad is also a young one and reads:


Stewart Walters (captain)
Michael Brown
Chris Murtagh
Usman Afzaal
Chris Schofield
Matthew Spriegel
Chris Jordan
Gary Wilson
Jade Dernbach
Tim Linley
Stuart Meaker
Laurie Evans

With no Ramprakash in this competition and Nel injured in a freak accident, they don't look especially dangerous but opportunities are there for players to make a name for themselves. Walters has been scoring runs lately, while Afzaal is a fine player. We still have to beat them and although the competition is the poor relation at present, a return to winning ways is essential for Derbyshire to get back into the groove for the Championship game starting on Thursday.