Surrey will play host to the Gloucestershire Gladiators in London’s one and only floodlit match of the 2006 season at the Brit Oval tomorrow night.

Surrey have recently returned from Bristol where they fought hard for a well earned draw against Gloucestershire, whilst at the same time gaining the two points required to be crowned as Division Two Champions. The two sides have met on four occasions already this summer, with all four producing memorable cricketing moments. Most notably was the C&G run fest at Bristol, where James Benning scored an unbeaten 189 to bring Surrey within two runs of an incredible victory. Surrey of course had their revenge in the Twenty20 quarter final when Mark Ramprakash and Rikki Clarke came together in devastating form to give the Brown Caps their record innings total and a magnificent victory.

Benning returns to the side after injury
Tomorrow night’s clash is expected to be just as exciting. With both sides battling it out to be promoted as Champions, Surrey can sense tomorrow as a prime opportunity to overtake the Gladiators at the top of the NatWest Pro40 Division Two. As far as Surrey are concerned, this will cap off what has been a highly successful season, whilst Gloucestershire will see tomorrow as chance to salvage some glory out of what has been a disappointing summer.

Chris Schofield, who played magnificently for 95 in last week’s Championship against Gloucestershire, an innings that nearly snatched victory for his side, will look to take his form into tomorrow evening’s clash. His spinning partner, Nayan Doshi, who also had a fantastic Championship match and has been prolific in all forms of Surrey’s domestic season, will of course join him.

There will be a welcome return to the One Day arena for James Benning. The powerful hitting right hander has had an accelerated recovery after dislocating and fracturing his right middle finger in Surrey’s Twenty20 semi final against Nottinghamshire.
Akram was in devastating form against Yorkshire He will join Ali Brown at the top of the order with the pair looking to resume business as usual by smashing Surrey off to a rapid start in their opening overs.

Azhar Mahmood, having strained a ligament on the outside of his right knee during a warm up at Bristol, is thought to have recovered sufficiently to be fit enough to play. He will be joined by his former Pakistan International team mate, Mohammad Akram, who was rested for last week’s Championship match. The quick bowler will be refreshed and eager to have a similar effect as to when he ripped through Yorkshire’s top order in Surrey’s last NatWest Pro40 match at the Brit Oval.

The match will be preceded by the announcement of England’s Ashes squad to tour Australia for the 2006/07 series down under. The Brit Oval’s very own Ashes Suite – in the OCS Stand – is receiving its official opening by hosting the ECB’s press conference for the announcement of the squad. With the press conference taking place at three o’clock, there will be an air of excitement before the Pro40 action gets underway at ten past four.

The history between the two sides and their position in the table combined with the Ashes Squad announcement will create an electric atmosphere. So why not come down to the fantastic surroundings of the Brit Oval and help Surrey sign off their home season in style, at the same time as being part of the only floodlit match in London this Summer.

Tickets are still available at £10 for adults and £5 for under 16s. You can purchase the tickets both online and from the ticket office on the day.

To buy your tickets online click here.

The squad to take on Gloucestershire in the floodlit Pro40 is as follows: Ali Brown, James Benning, Mark Ramprakash, Scott Newman, Mark Butcher, Stewart Walters, Azhar Mahmood, Chris Schofield, Nayan Doshi, Jonathan Batty, Mohammad Akram and Jade Dernbach.

You can follow Surrey’s progress in their NatWest Pro40 match by listening to BBC London’s coverage. Click here to listen to BBC London.

Add to Del.icio.us Digg it share on Facebook (What is this?)

• Listen
• Watch