Ramps dropped as Lions pair return

Mark Ramprakash has been dropped by Chris Adams, as he has named a 13 man squad for the LVCC Division One match against Somerset starting tomorrow at the Kia Oval. Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker have returned after their exploits for the England Lions.

Is this the end of a wonderful era? Mark Ramprakash is without doubt one of the greatest batsman Surrey have had in their history, but is his wonderful career coming to an end. He has struck 114 First Class centuries, most of them coming for Surrey since his move from Middlesex in 2001. However, it seems increasingly unlikely that he will add to that list. He has not been himself since his cruciate knee ligament injury in late 2010, scoring just the one hundred since then. However, his form this season has been far worse than last, averaging less than 8 from his 8 innings. Adams said it was a difficult choice, but looking at his form this season, it was a no-brainer.

Some positive news is the return of Dernbach and Meaker to the squad after their win for the Lions against the Windies last week. Even though George Edwards had a good debut, Meaker's ability to knock over the tail was sorely missed against Worcester, as we fell just 2 wickets short of victory. The pair will come back in, meaning that most likely Linley and Edwards will be the two who miss out. Lewis is our leading wicket taker this year so won't be dropped, unless Adams feels he needs a rest. Jordan will play due to his all round abilities, as the tail would look long if he didn't, with Batty at 7, Meaker at 8 etc.

Jason Roy is likely to come straight in for Ramps, and perhaps bat at number 3, a position he occupies in List A cricket. Roy will know he has the chance to cement a place in the side, and if he performs consistently over the next few weeks, Ramps may not be able to get back in.

Tom Maynard and the skipper will want to take their form from New Road into this game, in which the pair almost took is to victory from a desperate situation just the day before. Jacques Rudolph has started to show some form at the top of the order, and he will be looking to build on it before he leaves at the end of the month. Davies and de Bruyn are both in need of some runs, as they haven't hit a half century since their respective first innings of the summer.

Somerset are likely to be without several key players. Trescothick is out with his ankle injury, and Kirby and Hussain miss out to deplete the bowling attack. However, their batting line up still looks strong without Tres, as they hav the likes of Hildreth and Kieswetter, as well as the highest run scorer in the country this season in Nick Compton.

So, it will be a test against a strong Somerset team, but Surrey need to get their LVCC season back on track, after just the one win so far.


Surrey Squad:
Rory Hamilton-Brown (C)
Jacques Rudolph
Steve Davies (WK)
Jason Roy
Zander de Bruyn
Tom Maynard
Chris Jordan
Gareth Batty
Stuart Meaker
Jon Lewis
Jade Dernbach
Tim Linley
George Edwards