Essex Men's red-ball action continues this weekend with a trip to the Kia Oval to face Surrey.
The upcoming clash is Essex Men’s final fixture before their week-long break from Rothesay County Championship action. Chris Silverwood's side will be eager to return to winning ways in London following their defeat to Warwickshire at Edgbaston in the previous round.
Surrey currently sit seventh in the Division One table, three points behind Essex, although the London outfit have a game in hand. Led by Head Coach Gareth Batty, they have drawn their opening two matches and are still searching for their first victory of the season.
Chris Silverwood has named a near-identical squad for the short journey to the Kia Oval, with Zaman Akhter the only absentee from the group that travelled to Birmingham last week.
Akhter sustained a side injury during the previous match against Warwickshire and the Club are hoping to see him return back to full fitness after the break in fixtures next week.
Captain: Rory Burns
Head Coach: Gareth Batty
2025 finish: 2nd
2025 leading run-scorer: Dom Sibley (1,274)
2025 leading wicket-taker: Dan Worrall (32)
Championship titles: 22 (most recent in 2024)
Key winter moves: Experienced Australian all-rounder Sean Abbott has rejoined for a fourth spell at the club. Abbott, who turned 34 at the end of February and has 58 white-ball international caps, also played for Surrey in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Head coach Gareth Batty says Abbott, available for all cricket until the end of July, provides both on-field and off-field leadership. Surrey have also brought in India leg-spinner Rahul Chahar for the final eight games of the season. Chahar took 10 wickets on Surrey debut in last September’s win at Hampshire. His 8/51 is the best first-class bowling figures by a debutant for the club, breaking William Mudie’s 166-year-old record when he took 7/61 in 1859.
What we're looking forward to seeing: Surrey are on something of a quest this summer, having been pipped to the Rothesay County Championship title by Nottinghamshire last September. Although frustrated at being beaten by just 20 runs by Notts in what was in effect a title-decider at the Kia Oval in the penultimate round of matches, Surrey’s players and management accept they were not quite at their best last year in a bid for a fourth successive title. They are particularly relishing taking on Notts twice this season.
Aiming to catch selectors' eyes: Ollie Pope, Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson all start the season with much to prove after underwhelming performances in last winter’s Ashes series, but could both Dom Sibley and Dan Lawrence come again at England level?
Final thoughts: Alec Stewart’s return full-time last autumn to the director of cricket role he has held with such distinction at Surrey since 2013 – apart from an 18-month step-back to care for his late wife Lynn, who sadly lost a brave fight against cancer early last summer – has been welcomed by all at the Kia Oval. Players and staff know Stewart will provide the same fierce attention to detail and ‘overview’ leadership that helped to guide Rory Burns’ team to four championships between 2018 and 2024. Can they make it five titles in nine summers?
Surrey squad: TBC
Essex were left frustrated as rain and resolute batting helped Surrey secure a draw at the Kia Oval, finishing on 289-7 while chasing an unlikely 418-run target.
Surrey won the toss and elected to bowl on a green pitch, with Michael Pepper the only Essex batsman to surpass fifty, scoring 75 in a first-innings total of 217. Surrey responded with 279, anchored by Kurtis Patterson (51), Sam Curran (70), and Jordan Clark (55). Kasun Rajitha starred with a five-wicket haul, supported by Jamie Porter (2), Simon Harmer (2), and Shane Snater (1).
Essex’s second innings was far stronger, posting 479 thanks to a commanding 140 from Charlie Allison and a brilliant 118 from Paul Walter. Contributions also came from Dean Elgar (64), Tom Westley (50), and Noah Thain (50), setting Surrey a challenging target of 418.
On the final day, Surrey reached 32 without loss before rain intervened repeatedly, halting play six times and costing Essex 20 overs. Porter and Harmer applied pressure throughout, and Porter claimed a second five-wicket haul, but the interruptions prevented a potential Essex victory. Despite exerting control and creating chances, Essex were unable to force a result, with Surrey batting out the day to secure a hard-fought draw.
Click here for Part One.
Click here for Part Two.
If you are unable to attend any of the matchdays, the game will be available to watch via the Surrey Cricket YouTube livestream or live on Sky Sports Cricket. Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the game via our social media channels as we provide live updates.
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TRAIN STRIKES:
Please note that if you are planning to attend the match between Surrey and Essex at the Kia Oval, there are Transport for London tube strikes in place. For more information, please click here.
