June 13, 2006
Surrey to play Somerset
Azhar Mahmood will miss Surrey’s Liverpool Victoria second division clash with Somerset in Bath this week. The Pakistan international is out having sustained an injury to his ankle. The results from a scan are due back today, but medical staff are optimistic that the Surrey star will be fit to travel to Cardiff to take on Glamorgan next week.
The squad to play against Somerset, who are currently in fifth position, will be same as the winning side who played against Leicestershire, with the exception of Mahmood. James Benning has been called in as a replacement for the injured Mahmood, whilst Neil Saker and Richard Clinton have also been included to make up the 13.
Clinton is in the squad as potential cover for Mark Butcher, who has been receiving treatment for a lower back injury sustained during Surrey’s Championship victory against Leicestershire last week. However, initial thoughts are that he will take his place in the Surrey XI.
Saker, who has not played a Championship match since September 2003 has been included on the back of his recent form with the ball for the Surrey second XI as well as his fine bowling display during Surrey’s C&G match against Middlesex at the weekend.
The full Surrey squad for the Somerset match is: Scott Newman, Jonathan Batty (Wicket Keeper), Mark Ramprakash, Mark Butcher (Captain), James Benning, Ali Brown, Rikki Clarke, Martin Bicknell, Ian Salisbury, Nayan Doshi, Mohammed Akram, Neil Saker and Richard Clinton.
