Middlesex have reached an agreement with their London rivals, Surrey, to play their Twenty20 Cup quarter-final at The Oval between July 7 and 9, because the first Test between England and South Africa will be taking place at their home ground, Lord's, at the same time.

A six-wicket victory over Sussex on Wednesday guaranteed Middlesex's place at the top of the South Division of the Twenty20 Cup, but the Lord's Test means they will not be able to fully exploit their home advantage. According to their chief executive, Vinny Codrington, there had been discussions about playing the match on their out-ground at Uxbridge, but the ECB have granted Middlesex special dispensation to head south to The Oval.

Middlesex will have to wait until the final round has been completed this evening before learning who they will face in the quarter-finals, but tickets for the match went on sale at 9:30am on Friday. Surrey and Middlesex members will be permitted free entry to the ground, whilst members of the opposition will have to purchase their ticket but will gain access to the OCS Stand's coveted Roof Terrace. Tickets are available online from www.surreycricket.com or by calling 08712 461 100.

Middlesex will get a sneak preview of the conditions at The Oval when they take on Surrey in front of a capacity crowd in their final match of the South Division tonight, when they will be going for their eighth win in ten matches.