Three days later they go to Lord's to meet Kent in the final of the Benson & Hedges Cup, thus fulfilling one half of a prophecy their Australian coach, Dave Gilbert, made at the outset of the summer.

Gilbert said then that he thought Surrey's best chance of success lay in the one-day competitions - they presently lie a long way off the pace in the championship.

With the return of the England contingent from Old Trafford, Gilbert believes that good times are ``just around the corner'' at the Oval, but he is looking particularly to Ben Hollioake to fulfil his bowling potential.

``Ben hasn't bowled up to his ability this summer,'' Gilbert said. Hollioake has shaken off the effects of a sprained ankle, while Nottinghamshire will welcome the return from injury of their captain Paul Johnson.

Dermot Reeve, the former Warwickshire captain, takes Somerset back to Edgbaston, where the spinner Musthaq Ahmed expects to play despite a badly bruised knee.

Two troubled clubs meet at Derby, where the home county have Kim Barnett back after missing two games with a damaged thumb and struggling Northamptonshire are looking to turn around their recent poor form.

Lancashire go to Sussex with a long injury list now swollen by Neil Fairbrother's need to have a late fitness test on a thigh strain. Wasim Akram is already out with a shoulder injury and there are doubts about Ian Austin, Peter Martin and Mike Watkinson.

Tom Moody, Worcestershire's captain, is hoping to take the new ball against Essex at Chelmsford after overcoming back troubles, while the home side are likely to exclude Graham Gooch.