Surrey vs Leicestershire Prediction, Players, Standings, Odds: 6/8/2025

Surrey will kick off their England Domestic One-Day Cup 2025 campaign with a Group A encounter against Leicestershire, scheduled for Wednesday at Woodbridge Road in Guildford. After a below-par showing at this venue in recent years, the hosts will be eager to start afresh. Leicestershire, meanwhile, will aim to adapt swiftly to the conditions and build momentum early in the tournament.

When these two sides last met during the 2024 edition, Surrey edged out Leicestershire by 17 runs in a competitive clash at Kibworth. Both teams will now look to assert themselves in the opening round of the new campaign.

Surrey Preview: Seeking a Strong Start at Home

Dominic Sibley’s Surrey side is looking for a turnaround after a string of disappointing results at Guildford, where they’ve lost three straight games since the 2023 edition. With changes to the squad and several key players returning, Surrey will be determined to deliver a well-rounded performance.

The batting lineup will rely heavily on Sibley, Ben Geddes, Ryan Patel, Josh Blake, and OFM Sykes to anchor the innings and contribute meaningful runs. Patel was particularly impressive in last year’s tournament, scoring 363 runs in eight matches at an average of 45.37, including three half-centuries. His consistency at the top will be crucial once again.

On the bowling front, Surrey will look to Conor McKerr, Arthur Taylor, and James Philip for early breakthroughs. Leg-spinner Cameron Steel, who topped Surrey’s bowling charts in 2024 with 17 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 6.08, will be a key figure in the middle overs. Support from Yousef Majid, Nathan Barnwell, and all-rounder Cameron Steel will be vital in maintaining pressure throughout the innings.

Surrey Predicted XI: Dominic Sibley (c), Ryan Patel, Ben Geddes, Cameron Steel, Josh Blake (wk), Adam Thomas, OFM Sykes, Conor McKerr, Nathan Barnwell, Yousef Majid, James Philip, Arthur Taylor

Leicestershire Preview: Balanced Squad Looking to Make Early Statement

Leicestershire head into the competition with confidence, armed with a squad that combines proven run-scorers and effective bowlers. Captain Lewis Hill will be counting on a strong batting display, especially from Peter Handscomb, Soloman Budinger, and Louis Kimber.

Handscomb was in spectacular form last season, topping the tournament’s run charts with 539 runs from nine innings. Budinger also impressed with 458 runs at an average of 45.8, registering one century and three fifties. These two will be central to Leicestershire’s batting success again.

Their bowling attack appears well-rounded, with Tom Scriven spearheading the pace department. He claimed 18 wickets in 10 matches last season and will be backed by experienced names like Liam Trevaskis, Roman Walker, Chris Wright, and Ian Holland. Their ability to contain runs and strike regularly could tilt the contest in Leicestershire’s favor.

Leicestershire Predicted XI: Lewis Hill (c), Peter Handscomb, Louis Kimber, Ian Holland, Soloman Budinger, Harry Swindells, Ben Cox (wk), Liam Trevaskis, Tom Scriven, Roman Walker, Chris Wright

Match Details and Conditions

Venue: Woodbridge Road, Guildford
Weather Forecast: Expect sunny intervals with a moderate breeze throughout the day—ideal conditions for cricket.

Pitch Report

The surface at Woodbridge Road has historically offered assistance to both batters and bowlers. The average first innings score at the ground is around 244 runs. Seamers may find early movement, while spinners can make use of the larger boundary dimensions in the middle overs. Recent trends suggest the wicket eases slightly under lights, favoring the chasing team.

Toss Prediction: Bowl First

With two of the last three matches at this venue won by teams chasing, captains may prefer to field first, gauge the pitch, and take advantage of the conditions later in the match.

Prediction

Based on current form, squad depth, and recent player performances, Leicestershire enter this fixture as slight favorites. Their batting lineup—anchored by Handscomb and Budinger—combined with Scriven’s prowess with the ball, gives them a well-balanced edge.

While Surrey have home advantage, their recent record at Guildford and reliance on a few key players raise concerns. To pull off a win, they will need significant contributions from both their top order and bowling unit.

Prediction: Leicestershire to win.