Picturesque Kennington south of London with its dog parks and magnificent Kia Oval is the centrepiece for the English Championship showdown between hosts and reigning champions Surrey and Nottinghamshire from tomorrow.

Eight thousand fans are expected despite the Monday start and the capricious autumn weather which sees the outfield shine like a green emerald.

We are in London for the game – and a little r and r after finishing here big projects: Greg Chappell’s new book ‘The Chappell Chronicles’, my Universal Summer Cricket Tour Guide (due  in October) and the Australian Cricket Society’s Pavilion magazine (November release)… featuring young Victorian Cam Kellaway on the cover.

Visiting Kia was a great thrill as on 7 previous tours we’d seen Tests at Lord’s, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and Cardiff … but never lasted until the fifth Test of the series, traditionally held at Kennington.

We visited the rooms, the member’s library, saw all the amazing honour boards and even the area where Shane Warne the commentator used to sneak outside for a smoke.

Surrey CCC has been based here since 1845. The actual sight is royal property, the club paying an annual  rental of 1.5 mill pounds to the Prince of Wales.

It owns much property in the immediate area including a large hotel, leased to the Travelodge Group.

There are 27 wickets in the centre area, just seven being used for first class cricket. Tomorrow’s decider is being played on a very green strip to the right of the committee room.

The Oval staged its first Test in 1880 and is one of only four venues to stage 100 Tests or m ore. The others? Lord’s, Melbourne and Sydney.