Wimbledon CC skipper Neil Turk wants the Surrey Championship to do away with 120-over cricket after claiming it put undue influence on the outcome of the toss.

This weekend’s Premier Division visit of Sutton marks the end of this season’s timed format matches and a return to the 50 overs limited game.

Turk could be mistaken for being a change of a side struggling in the 120-over format, but after a 193-run thumping of East Molesey last weekend, the reigning champions are three points clear at the top.

Wimbledon also took a major step towards defending their national T20 club championship title this weekend after beating Camberley and Sunbury to reach the south area semi-final against South Wilts on August 11.

But defending their league title is paramount to Turk, and he is confident that if Wimbledon are top or second going into the 50-over matches, the title can be theirs for a third consecutive season.

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Job well done: Wimbledon's Mark Smith celebrates taking the wicket of East Molesey's Tim Handel    SP78178

“Sutton are on a good run having beaten Sunbury last weekend, so it is an important fixture for us to win, especially as this is the last 120-over match,” he said.

“Sunbury play Weybridge this weekend, and if Weybridge win, then I think Sunbury will be out of the picture by the time we play them on August 17.

“Besides, in the 50-over format I believe we are very strong and the better team nearly always wins because you need five bowlers, and you cannot just block the ball out as the batting team.

“On that basis, I am confident we can give anyone in the Premier Division a good game.”

He added: “But in 120-over matches, the toss is too pivotal. We have some stats at the club that says 70 per cent of matches are won by the team bowling first.

“Too many games are influenced by the toss. You still have to play well, but if you’re chasing it is much easier.

“Even if you have 350 to chase, you revert to one day cricket knowing you need about six per over.

“But you effectively have two chances to win – once with the ball, and then with the bat. It is about time the Championship changed, but we’ll have to see what they do.”

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Gone: Mark Smith strikes to take the wicket of Tom Scollay  SP78178