Duo miss out for Middlesex

Andrew Strauss is one of two batsmen missing for Middlesex's game with Surrey

Middlesex will be missing England duo Andrew Strauss and Eoin Morgan as they gear up for their LV= County Championship Division Two fixture against Surrey at Lord`s.

The duo will be playing for separate England teams as the full squad take on Warwickshire and the Lions face Australia at Worcester, with Strauss captaining the full side at Edgbaston and Morgan pencilled in to feature against the tourists.

The pair's absence opens up a spot at the top of the order for left-hander Billy Godleman, who missed Middlesex's defeat to Gloucestershire last time out.

Also included in the 12-man who were absent from the squad that suffered defeat at Bristol are batsman Dawid Malan and Murali Kartik.

Former England batsman Mark Butcher is to return to the Surrey squad and will skipper his side for the London derby.

Butcher leads a side that also includes Mark Ramprakash, returning after being rested at the end of the Twenty20 Cup campaign, wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty and fast bowler Alex Tudor – both of whom have been impressive in the second XI in recent weeks.

There is also a place for local off spinner Simon King, who made his debut for Surrey against Kent on Sunday, bowling economical figures against a very strong side featuring no fewer than seven international players.

Surrey’s in form fast bowler Jade Dernbach is unavailable for selection at Lord’s due to an ongoing shin injury.

Surrey Professional Cricket Manager Chris Adams said: “Surrey and Middlesex games always have a special ring to them and I am sure this one will be no different.

“I was pleased with the progress we made on our recent three-game away trip and hope that the team can produce four more days of consistently good cricket. The table is very tightly packed at the moment, so another victory could help us put some distance between us and the rest of the pack.”