County Championship 2025 Preview: Durham vs Surrey – 29 July 2025

Venue: Riverside Ground, Durham
Time: 11:00 GMT
Format: County Championship (4-day match)

As the County Championship 2025 continues to deliver thrilling encounters, the upcoming match between Durham and Surrey promises to be a closely contested affair. With both teams sitting near the top of the Division One table, this match could prove pivotal in the race for the title.

Match Context

The fixture on 29 July 2025 at the Riverside Ground will see two of the most consistent teams of the season go head-to-head. Surrey, currently 1st in the table with 154 points from 10 matches, have been in scintillating form, winning all their last five games, including a dominant innings-and-28-run victory over Yorkshire in May. Durham, on the other hand, are 8th with 111 points, but they have shown enough resilience and firepower to make this a competitive contest.

Head-to-Head (Recent History)

The rivalry between Durham and Surrey has been one of intrigue in recent years:

• 03/09/2024: Surrey won by 5 wickets with 12 balls remaining in a T20.
• 04/08/2022: Surrey won by 9 wickets with 126 balls remaining.
• 17/08/2021: Durham won by 5 wickets with 15 balls remaining.

Surrey have had the upper hand in recent meetings, but Durham's home record at the Riverside is formidable, and this four-day match could play out very differently.

Team Form and Performance

Durham (Last 6 Matches)

• 22/07/2025: Durham vs Somerset – Somerset won by 5 wickets
• 23/05/2025: Durham vs Somerset – Somerset won by 7 wickets
• 16/05/2025: Nottinghamshire vs Durham – Result pending
• 02/05/2025: Durham vs Hampshire – Result pending
• 25/04/2025: Worcestershire vs Durham – Result pending
• 11/04/2025: Durham vs Warwickshire – Warwickshire won by 1 wicket

Durham have struggled in recent home games, with Somerset defeating them twice and Warwickshire claiming a narrow win. However, their batting line-up, led by the experienced Paul Collingwood and the explosive Finn Allen, will be crucial to turning their fortunes around.

Surrey (Last 6 Matches)

• 22/07/2025: Yorkshire vs Surrey – Result pending
• 22/06/2025: Worcestershire vs Surrey – Result pending
• 16/05/2025: Yorkshire vs Surrey – Surrey won by an innings and 28 runs
• 09/05/2025: Warwickshire vs Surrey – Result pending
• 25/04/2025: Somerset vs Surrey – Result pending
• 11/04/2025: Surrey vs Hampshire – Result pending

Surrey have been in excellent form, particularly in the red-ball format. Their recent innings-and-28-run victory over Yorkshire highlighted their ability to dominate oppositions when the conditions suit.

Pitch and Conditions

The Riverside Ground in Durham is known for being a batting-friendly track, especially in the early part of the match. The pitch tends to offer assistance to seamers in the first hour, but once the surface hardens, it can be quite flat. With the weather forecast suggesting clear skies and pleasant temperatures, teams will look to post a competitive first-innings score.

Key Players to Watch

Durham

• Finn Allen (Batsman): A modern-day run machine, Allen has the ability to single-handedly change the course of a match.
• Mark Wood (Bowler): A vital asset with his pace and swing. Wood has the potential to take early wickets and control the middle overs.
• Paul Coughlin (Wicketkeeper/Batsman): A reliable lower-order finisher with a good eye for scoring.

Surrey

• Ollie Pope (Batsman/Wicketkeeper): The backbone of Surrey's batting order, Pope is known for his elegant strokeplay and consistency.
• Sean Abbott (Bowler): A right-arm fast bowler with a good record in County Cricket.
• Tom Curran (All-rounder): A versatile player who can contribute with both the ball and the bat.

Match Prediction

Based on current form, pitch conditions, and previous encounters, the match is expected to be closely fought. Both teams have quality in batting and bowling departments, and the result could hinge on a few key moments.

Score Prediction:

• Durham 358 vs Surrey 342 – Durham by 16 runs

However, with the unpredictable nature of four-day cricket, anything is possible, and this could go the distance or even result in a draw.

Conclusion

The Durham vs Surrey match on 29 July 2025 is set to be an exciting encounter in the Rothesay County Championship. With both teams in good form and the match likely to be a tight affair, cricket fans can look forward to a high-quality contest that could have a significant impact on the title race.

Don’t miss out on this crucial clash at the Riverside Ground!
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