Nottinghamshire welcome the defending Specsavers County Champions to Trent Bridge for their next fixture.

Surrey completed the double over Notts last year on their way to lifting the title but their defence of the crown has spluttered somewhat, and The Oval-based side find themselves some way off the pace this time.

Rory Burns’ side have picked up just the one win in the championship so far, and lie sixth in the table, with 85 points.

Notts are eighth, on 45 points but with the sides also due to meet in South London for the last round of fixtures in September the two meetings could be influential in determining the final standings.

Head To Head

Nottinghamshire and Surrey have met on 248 occasions in first class cricket, with 91 of the matches being drawn.

Surrey shade the head-to-head record, with a total of 86 victories, whilst Notts have been successful on 71 occasions, most recently in April 2016 when the sides met at Trent Bridge.

Notts have hosted the fixture on 122 occasions, winning 44 of them. The most recent home victories have come in 1992, 2013 and 2016.

Last year’s success was Surrey’s 36th away win, with a further 42 contests being drawn.

Last Time

Last July Notts hosted Surrey at Trent Bridge, with the sides occupying the top two berths in the Division One table.

Surrey, who went on to lift the title, had already seized the advantage by the end of the first day.

They had bowled Notts out for 210 (with no-one reaching 30) and responded with a score of 223-1.

Mark Stoneman made 86 but his opening partner, captain Rory Burns, batted deep into the second day in making 153.

Rikki Clarke also scored a century as Surrey made their way to 592.

Morne Morkel had taken 4 wickets on the opening day and followed it up with a further 5 as Notts were bowled out for 199 in their second innings.

Despite Samit Patel’s 55, the home side were defeated by an innings and 183 runs.

History

1948 

A ground record crowd of 35,000 flocked inside Trent Bridge on Bank Holiday Monday, the second day of a match between Notts and Surrey.

They saw centuries from Joe Hardstaff junior and Walter Keeton move the home side to a total of 420-9 declared, a first innings lead of just one.

A day later the pair combined again to seal a thrilling four-wicket victory.

1977 

Many visiting captains have elected to field first when winning the toss ahead of a championship game at Trent Bridge – and Surrey’s Robin Jackman may wish he’d done the same.

After a rain delay, his troops were out for just 79 on the opening day, with Clive Rice prominent, taking 6-29 from his 13.2 overs.

Despite their early advantage, more bad weather prevented Notts from being able to get more than a draw out of the game.

2018

With Steven Mullaney suffering from a back spasm, Samit Patel captained Notts for the first time, in the away fixture against Surrey.

Notts also gave a debut to former Derbyshire opener Ben Slater, who had recently joined the county.

Stats

Highest Team Total | Notts: 692-7dec (The Oval 2005), Surrey: 706-4dec (Trent Bridge 1947).

Highest Individual Score | Notts: 238 SP Fleming (The Oval 2005), Surrey: 279* MR Ramprakash (Whitgift School 2003).

Best Bowling | Notts: 9-33 M McIntyre (The Oval 1872), Surrey: 8-12 R Harman (Trent Bridge 1964).

Hat-Tricks | Notts: HJ Butler (Trent Bridge 1937), Surrey: ST Clarke (The Oval 1980).

Played for Them Both

Nottinghamshire’s Luke Fletcher spent a brief period on loan with Surrey in 2015, playing in three county championship matches.

The fast bowler took eight wickets at an average of 19, with a best performance of four for 58. He scored 39 runs, with a best of 23.

Amongst the many other players to represent both counties are, Usman Afzaal, Hashim Amla, Darren Bicknell, Alistair Brown, Greg Blewett, Mark Footitt, Gary Keedy, Chris Lewis, Scott Newman, Dirk Nannes, Kevin O’Brien, Kevin Pietersen, Roy Swetman and Younis Khan.

Did You Know?

When Notts played at The Oval in 2012 their scorecard listing showed No.11 as being Harry Gurney and No.12 Neil Edwards.

At the halfway stage of the match Alex Hales was summoned away to join up with an England one-day squad and he was officially replaced in the match by Edwards.

Notts second innings began just before the close of the third day. 

With time allowing for just one over to be bowled before the end of play, Gurney was sent out as nightwatchman to face Murali Kartik.

Edwards opened with him – a true case of a side reversing their batting order!

Milestones

Stuart Broad (4,997) needs only 3 more runs to reach 5,000 in his career.
Ravi Ashwin (3,895) is approaching 4,000 first class runs.
Luke Fletcher (1,968) needs 32 more runs to reach 2,000.
Jake Ball (945) is close to 1,000 first class runs.
Steven Mullaney (6,927) is closing in on 7,000 first class runs, solely for Notts.
Jake Ball (190) is approaching 200 first class wickets.
Luke Wood (90) is nearing 100 first class wickets.
Stuart Broad has taken 147 first class wickets for Notts.

*******

A Notts Outlaws squad brimming with international talent will commence their T20 Vitality Blast campaign against Worcestershire Rapids at Trent Bridge on Thursday 18 July, with adult tickets priced at £10. Secure your seats…