Countdown to Friends Provident t20 Championships begins with fans offered the chance to test their cricketing skills against the professionals Thursday 13th May will see the Surrey Lions set loose in London as they launch their campaign for the 2010 Friends Provident t20 Championship.

As part of the build-up to one of the cricket season’s most eagerly-awaited tournaments, the Lions will be hosting a session near Tower Bridge that will give the public the chance to bat and bowl against real professionals. At stake will be the chance to win tickets to Surrey’s eight home Twenty20 fixtures that take place at the Brit Insurance Oval between 8th June and 8th July.

Taking part will be Surrey captain Rory Hamilton-Brown and international players Mark Ramprakash, Gareth Batty, Jade Dernbach, Chris Tremlett and Usman Afzaal of England and fast bowler Andre Nel of South Africa. Surrey have also bolstered their ranks for the Friends Provident t20 Championship by enlisting Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds and it is expected that his arrival will see the Brit Insurance Oval packed to the rafters for each home game.

Members of the public will experience and have access to exactly the same practice and coaching conditions that the Lions squad enjoy including speed guns, bowling machines and the expertise of Surrey coaching staff including club coach Chris Adams. The centrepiece of the event however, will be two batting ‘cages’ in which the Lions will put members of the publics’ skills to the test.

The event will take place between 11.30 and 17.30 on Thursday 13th May at Potter’s Field, just yards from three of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, Tower Bridge, the Tower of London and City Hall on the south bank of the Thames. there will also be the chance to Two Economy flights to a Virgin Atlantic destination, not mention plenty of opportunity to meet the stars of Surrey CCC team.

Surrey CCC has eight home fixtures as part of the revamped Friends Provident t20 Cup and tickets are available for each game by calling 020 7820 5700 or visiting http://www.britoval.com/fixtures-tickets.

Home fixtures are as follows: Tue 8th June v Gloucestershire Thu 10th June v Essex Fri 18th June v Kent Sun 20th June v Sussex Tue 22nd June v Hampshire Fri 2nd July v Somerset Sun 4th July v Glamorgan Thu 8th July v Middlesex