LANCASHIRE coach Bob Simpson today spelt out the importance of the showdown with Championship leaders Surrey at the Oval.

"As soon as I saw the fixtures for the season I said our two games with Surrey would be the biggest of the year," said the veteran Australian.

"And that's exactly how it's turned out."

Lancashire went into today's game four points behind Surrey, who have stormed to the top of the table after a slow start.

The teams also meet at Old Trafford in the last game of the season in September. Lancashire held a psychological edge after their superb NatWest Trophy quarter final win at the Oval this time last week.

But Surrey had a score to settle after skipper Adam Hollioake admitted t hey were embarrassed by Andy Flintoff's devastating century.

Both teams were expecting another spin showdown similar to last weeks, when Lancashire included Gary Yates, Gary Keedy and Chris Schofield. And last year's Championship meeting at the Oval was also decided by spin, with Surrey's Saqlain Mushtaq and Ian Salisbury just outpointing Keedy and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Both teams were affected by the Old Trafford Test, with Lancashire missing Mike Atherton and Surrey forced to replace Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe.

The Division One leaders are mounting another strong challenge in their bid to retain the title after a run of five successive wins - and manager Keith Medlycott believes they have reached the same high standards they set last year.

He said: "I think we are playing as well as last year, although we have not scored as many runs. After the poor weather the sun has come out and the better players are starting to show their mettle."

But Medlycott is taking nothing for granted and is expecting a tough game against the Red Rose county.

He said: "When you play the best sides, like Lancashire, you have to be on top of your game.

"It should be exciting."

Lancashire fielded a new opening partnership of John Crawley and Sourav Ganguly, who was included despite the groin injury he suffered at Yorkshire on Sunday which made him unlikely to bowl.