Surrey Preview: Pears seek swift transition as County Championship returns

Rothesay County Championship Division One: Worcestershire v Surrey

Venue: Visit Worcestershire New Road

Date: Sunday 22nd June

Scheduled start time: 11am

Worcestershire return to Rothesay County Championship action on Sunday, as they welcome second-placed Surrey, in a fixture that has ramifications at both ends of the table.

With a two-day turnaround after completing their first block of Vitality T20 Blast group matches, the Pears must ensure they adapt to the longer-format in a hurry, as the quest for some valuable Division One winning momentum continues.

Worcestershire Rapids came within one-wicket of a comeback for the ages, as they fell just short in a pulsating derby date with the Bears at Edgbaston that went down to the last-over.

Losing three wickets inside the first six overs damaged the visitors chances of posting an imposing score, with plenty of batters getting starts, but nobody kicking on in a total of 134 all-out.

On the backfoot from the outset in the field, the Rapids had Fateh Singh (3-18) to thank, as he inspired a mid-innings revival, with the away side taking four wickets for 15 runs in a chaotic three-over period.

As the game edged towards a thrilling climax, the Rapids headed into the final over of the contest defending three runs, which ultimately proved too big a task, as the Bears snatched a nail-biting one-wicket win.

Head Coach Alan Richardson says his side must “adapt quickly” as they prepare for a vital County Championship tussle with Surrey, just two days after finishing their first block of Vitality T20 Blast fixtures. 

Inconsistency stunted the Worcestershire progress during the start of their North group campaign, losing five of their opening eight matches, most recently going down in an agonising one-wicket defeat to rivals Birmingham Bears, on Friday night.

There is no time to rest however, as attentions turn quickly to the arrival of the serial County Championship winners, with vital points at stake.

Richardson is more than aware of the significance of the game, with ramifications at both ends of the table, despite the short turnaround.

“It is a unique situation to be in, having only finished playing in the Blast on Friday night. However, it isn’t one we weren’t prepared for, so there are no complaints from us about the schedule.

“As a playing group and staff, we know our plans and strategies, so come Sunday, we will be ready to hit our straps and get back to work at Visit Worcestershire New Road.

“We have to worry about ourselves, the wider picture is what it is, for the short-term however, we have to start fast and ensure we play each phase of the game as it comes.”

After a challenging start to the season in Division One, Richardson’s side struggled to maintain consistency, falling marginally adrift after being dealt some harsh lessons in life at the top of the County pyramid.

Currently at the wrong end of the table, Worcestershire will draw on all of the positives from their three Vitality Blast group wins, as they look to convert that into the red-ball format.

“Transitioning so quickly could make it hard, but we have to use it as a breath of fresh air. It depends which way you want to look at it to be honest!

“We will see what the team shapes up like closer to the time, everyone is ready to if they need to be called upon. 

“There will be some nerves and some excitement, that is only natural, but whoever is in the eleven to take on Surrey will be fully prepped and confident in our plans and ready to give us the best chance at claiming a big win.

“Lots of the lads have been playing plenty of cricket, some of which red-ball anyway, so hopefully we hit the ground running.”

The Pears may shuffle their pack, but are boosted by the return to the squad of regular red-ball captain Brett D’Oliviera, after suffering an injury during the recent run of T20 games forced him into a spell on the sidelines.

In any instance, a return home, where the Pears have secured their only Rothesay County Championship win of the season so far, a landslide 225-run win over Essex back in May, serves as great motivation for Richardson’s side.

“It feels like a long time ago – doesn’t it! But since that game we won at home, we followed it up with a draw against Warwickshire, and then showed some really positive signs during the Blast.

“A big focus has been our batting and bowling in partnerships, if we can continue to do that, we stand every chance.” 

Last result: Surrey bt Middlesex by 75 runs

Table position: 2nd

One to watch: Ben Foakes

Winners of the competition three times in the last three seasons, Surrey travel to Visit Worcestershire New Road as a squad with plenty of pedigree.

Currently sat second in Division One, narrowly trailing leaders Nottinghamshire, the 22-time winners of the Rothesay County Championship will be doing all they can to add another title to their name this Summer.

Following a successful opening to their Vitality Blast campaign, winning six of their opening eight games, the Oval-based outfit will be looking to transfer their excellent white ball form into the longer format.

With a number of stars away on England duty, the onus will fall on the likes of Dan Lawrence, Dom Sibley and Jordan Clark, to ensure Captain Rory Burns can extend his enjoyable start to the season.

In amongst the list of star-studded names, Ben Foakes, will have caught the attentions of the Pears bowlers in wake of his impressive start to the year.

Notching up 528 runs so far this season, with a season-best 174 not-out against Warwickshire included in that total, Foakes is certainly a man in form.

In addition to his outstanding wicket-keeping skillset, Foakes is enjoying another stellar Summer, one that will certainly keep the Pears interested.