After being beaten comprehensively by rivals Middlesex at Lord's on Sunday, Hampshire caused a major shock by beating the 'Brown Hatters' at The Oval today, by the margin of just 1 run. Hampshire recovered from 140-6 to make 243 all out from their 50 overs, lead by skipper Robin Smith (64). Surrey them slumped to 157-6 in reply, but danger man Azhar Mahmood then blasted a quick-fire 50 from 37 balls, but when he was run-out, Surrey still needed 18 with only a couple of overs left. The target was down to 10 from the last, but Surrey could only manage 8 and that gave the South Coast side a famous win.

Essex have been the opposite in their two games, with a superb win over Sussex on Sunday, followed by a point at Lord's thanks to an abandonment on Tuesday and the group is starting to take a bit of shape, so neither side can afford to lose.

Surrey have added two players to their talented squad, with a bowler I admire James Ormond and Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood coming to The Oval. Mahmood is filling-in for his team mate Saqlain Mushtaq while he completes International duties and as always the South London side look very strong and hard to beat, though the last couple of games show that it is certainly possible.

With Kent and Sussex as well as Hampshire winning today, it's left them all with 2 points from 2 games, with us and Middlesex on 3 each and Surrey on nothing and a defeat for Surrey tomorrow would mean their campaign is over and for Essex, to knock out their rivals and the main contenders, would be a great bonus. Having said that, champions know how to win and how to comeback so a Surrey backlash is very much possible. Essex seem to do well against Surrey also and we'll feel a win is on. It's hard to call this one and a cracker is in store.