Bears vs: Warwickshire up for challenge of champs Surrey

Warwickshire take on Surrey at Edgbaston this weekend seeking a ‘statement’ win against the title holders and knowing maximum points could see them top the table.

briggford

2025-05-08T15:00:00.000Z

Warwickshire take on Surrey at Edgbaston this weekend seeking a ‘statement’ win against the title holders and knowing maximum points could see them top the table.

Surrey have dominated English red ball cricket in recent seasons and completed the “three-peat” when they beat Somerset to top spot in Division One last September.

It was their 23rd County Championship honour and you have to go back more than 50 years since a side last won back-to-back-to-back crowns.

However, by their high standards it’s been a somewhat stuttering start to their title defence in 2025.

They were forced to follow-on against Essex in the opening round of the new campaign (the hosts amassing 582/6 declared) but escaped with a share of the spoils.

Draws followed against Hampshire – in which ex-Bear Dom Sibley carried his bat in the first innings (100*) and hit 105 in the second – and a high-scoring clash against Sussex.

Their first win came at the fourth time of asking as Jordan Clark (pic above) took eight wickets against Somerset to help Surrey to an eight-wicket success.

“Every time you get over the line it's the hardest one because other teams are trying to close the gap,” said Surrey Head Coach Gareth Batty after lifting the trophy last autumn. “They’re trying to improve their squads, improve their players.”

Perhaps the gap is closing more quickly than many would have thought.

Trio on England duty

Surrey arrive at Edgbaston without the services of England trio Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Test Vice Captain Ollie Pope.

They have been selected in the England squad for the Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on 22 May. The England camp convenes on Saturday in preparation for the one-off game and so miss out.

Bears vs: Warwickshire up for challenge of champs Surrey - Image 2

However, overseas signings Kurtis Patterson and Nathan Smith (pic above) could make their debuts.

Australian batter Patterson – who played two Tests in 2019 against Sri Lanka, with a top score of 114 – has joined Surrey for three red ball games in May.

Last season, he hit 743 runs in eight Sheffield Shield matches Down Under for New South Wales at an average of 57.15 and scored 137 for Australia A against the England Lions during the winter.

Kiwi quick Smith made his New Zealand Test debut against England recently, picking up seven wickets in the first two matches of the series.

Smith represented Worcestershire in the 2024 season in seven games, taking 27 wickets and scoring 214 runs at an average of 30.5.

Familiar faces

But it’s some familiar faces who have again made the biggest contributions for Surrey so far this season.

Sibley has already accrued 412 runs in four games with an average of 68.66, while keeper Ben Foakes has started well with 259 runs to his name at an average of 51.80.

Jordan Clark has picked up 14 wickets supported by 33-year-old Dan Worrall with 10.

It’s six years ago to the month that Warwickshire last beat Surrey at Edgbaston – Jeetan Patel inspiring the Bears with 12 wickets – and Bears fans will be hoping they can underpin their good start to the season with an overdue W against the champions.