Surrey vs Northamptonshire LV=County Championship preview

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Top of the table Surrey entertain Northamptonshire in their latest county championship match at the Kia Oval starting on Thursday.

Surrey currently hold an eight point lead from Hampshire after four games played. Northamptonshire, who have only played three matches so far, are still awaiting their first win of the Championship season, and currently find themselves sixth in the table with 38 points.

Surrey come into the game off the back of a high scoring draw at Bristol, whilst Northamptonshire had the better of the game against Essex but couldn’t force a victory at Chelmsford.

The hosts’ batsman are certainly in form at the moment with Ollie Pope leading the way with 321 runs from five innings at an average of 64.20, having hit 84 in his last innings against Gloucestershire along with a century against Hampshire and half century against Warwickshire.

Ben Foakes has also started the season on the front foot, currently topping the Surrey averages with 288 runs at an average of 144. The wicketkeeper batsman has already hit an unbeaten century this season, 138 against Warwickshire along with 63 in his last match against Somerset.

Another keeper who is flourishing with the bat is Jamie Smith. The 21-year-old hit a magnificent undefeated 234 against Bristol last week.

All rounder Jordan Clark has started the campaign in fine form with 137 against Gloucestershire and has already taken 16 wickets in his four matches.

Northamptonshire’s leading run scorer this season is Robert Keogh with 278 runs from five wickets at an average of a shade over 55, with a century against Gloucestershire earlier this season.

With the ball the visitors will be looking to Ben Sanderson. The 31-year-old has already taken nine wickets against Gloucestershire and four in the recent game against Essex.

In the last five occasions these sides have met in the Championship, Northants beat Surrey in Division Two last season back in September by two wickets, with Sanderson picking up five in the game.

Keogh finished on 99 as Northamptonshire got home with two wickets to spare chasing 320 to win.

Back in August 2011, Surrey beat Northants at Wantage Road by 333 runs after Surrey declared their second innings on 410-6. Northants were bowled out for 152 with Pragyan Ojha taking 6-8 off 16.3 overs.

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