Surrey news/articles

First topic message reminder :

Hi guys

Just a quick one to let you know that I have spoken with All Out Cricket regarding the amount of Surrey fans we have here at 606v2, and they're going to look to provide any Surrey related blogs/news/articles that they have to this section. Given that their office is located near to the Oval, they often chat with the Surrey guys and as such get some good interviews, so hopefully they can get some of those across here for you fellas to get your teeth into.

Cheers

Hi Chichester. Very much agree with you and Jimbob re the comment about sympathy with the Maynards senior.

I doubt that the signings will jeopardise progress of younger players, bearing in mind we lost Ramps, RHB and Tom. Hopefully if there is a greater air of stability and discipline about the club this will help development. My main worry would be if both Solanki and the Brain were blocking batting places while struggling unsuccessfully to regain former batting form.

Hi Corporal.... good to hear that you are reasonably confident that our signings won't jeopardise progress of our younger players....

I forgot to ask the question (in my previous contribution)... does anyone think that Jade Dernbach is likely to play much for us this season?... I don't think his winter performances for England would instill much confidence going forward... he needs much more than an occasional unplayable slower bowl, which by all accounts, more and more batsman are better able to deal with... (by the way, any negative comments I have are based purely on bowling performance and not on those dreadful tattoos!!)

By the way, having re-read my previous contribution,, I of course meant to say... roll on Summner and the sound of ball on willow ( & not bat on willow...which I guess would make a rather wooden sound.

I think Dernbach will be well off the radar for England for anything apart from T20. Unless his form in first class game becomes a great deal more consistent he would be behind Meaker, Tremlett (if fully fit), the Viscount - as a minimum for Surrey. Potentially he may be available for selection but not actually selected.

I suspect he may be one of those Adams had in mind in his reported comments (George Dobell in Cricinfo)

"I can 100 percent guarantee that there was no partying culture at Surrey. We have 23 professionals on our staff and the majority of those players are outstanding individuals who live good lives. We are aware we had a small minority group last year that away from cricket were getting entrapped into the pitfalls of London life and it is our responsibility now to make sure that doesn't happen again."

If that is the case then he may benefit from a much stronger leadership / example of the new captain....

Chichester - delighted to have you on board for 2013. That's a great pre-season net! Mrs Bat and I spent a few days last week in your neck of the woods - Bosham, lovely spot by the sea.

I wouldn't worry too much about Surrey becoming the cricketing equivallent of Man Citee! Smith and Ponting are very strong signings but any appearances together will be limited to t20 due to the restriction of one overseas player in the other formats. Now that Pietersen has kissed and made up with England we can't expect to see him too often. I do understand though that all 3 are expected to be available for the home t20 against Middlesex - could be fun!

The only other signing is the ageing and, over the last couple of seasons, out of form Solanki. Wonder kid Dom Sibley (remember I told you about him first - actually, don't worry I'll keep telling you!) has graduated from the academy to a full contract but is likely to miss the opening weeks of the season due to school and exams; in any case, despite all his promise, it's still very early days for him. Zafar Ansari will again miss a similar period due to university studies whilst Gary Wilson will probably be playing for Ireland against the likes of Andorra and Vatican City!

From our opening CC match of last season, 5 of the top 6 are no longer with the Club: Rudolph (bonus point if you remembered him), Jordan (ridiculous that he opened but he did), Ramps, Hamilton-Brown and Maynard. The only one still around is the Brain who had a poor time of it. Squad players Spriegel and Lancefield have also departed.

Hopefully, Davies will have his form and enthusiasm restored after his winter tour with the Elton John XI. However, one or two injuries and/or (continued) loss of form and the batting could be more QPR than Citee! I've been told by a respected (by me anyway!) local journalist that some trials were held the other week but don't know any results. Glad at least that the Club are still looking. We don't need any glamour signings but one or two squad batsmen who could come in if required would be useful and might even be necessary.

As for Dernbach, he needs to get his game together in every sense.

Particularly as the father of children around Tom Maynard's age, I have enormous sympathy for his parents and feel great sorrow at his death. However, if Maynard had not evaded the police that fateful morning I would have slated him and not given a thought to his family. I'm still unsure if that's totally understandable or complete hypocrisy on my part. I take some comfort from Carrot's earlier wise words that his death changed everything.

On a happier note, all set for our Thursday outing to the Guildford festival. Ponting is expected to play and sunshine is on order ....

Corporal.... very interested to hear about the reported comments from Chris Adams... it does sound some lessons have been learnt...

Guildfordbat, glad to hear that you enjoyed a few days down this neck of the woods......Bosham is nice... if you went by car, I hope you parked in the Harbour Conservancy car park and paid your £1-00 rather than parking on the road and getting caught by the tide coming in and having locals taking a picture of the vehicle and putting up in the Anchor bleu pub! I haven't forgotten about Dom Sibley either... Is it worth me visiting the bookies to put a pound on him scoring an england century on his debut? can you guarantee that?

Good to hear that you both think there is plenty of scope for the surrey youngsters to develop this season, once they are back from their exams!

I've got the guildford date in my diary.. just hoping that Smith or Ponting don't score a century the day after I go

Nannes signed for Glam in T20

Corporalhumblebucket wrote: Nannes signed for Glam in T20

that is good news indeed

chichester, guildford,
What's the name of the pub down by the water at Bosham where the car park floods at high tide?
Hope that hasn't happened to either of you??!!

Hi kwinigolfer... its called the Anchor Bleu... Pleased to say that its never happened to me...yet!.. However, I've always been amused by the lengths that some people will go to, to park anywhere simply to avoid paying a small car parking charge down in these parts so I have to admit on a couple of occasions when I've been down in Bosham and seen cars having sea water lapping around their wheel hubs.. it has bought a wry smile to my face I used to work for the District Council in these parts... and we nearly had a riot on our hands when a small charge was proposed for Midhurst... free parking for the first hour... followed by something like 20p for 2 hours... the local Conservative Councillor lost his seat in the elections... beaten by an independent who opposed the introduction of any charge at all..... Not quite sure quite what planet some people live on round these parts!... apols for taking this thread off topic!.....

chichester,
A lovely little spot, I like Dell Quay too. Thirty years since I've been there but still . . . . .
(I once did a mini-thesis on the economic impact of the closure of the Petersfield/Midhurst railway line. Not trying to date myself or anything.)

Fascinating stuff. Maybe this thread needs a branch line connecting it with the newly created Sussex thread.

Corporal - I had a branch line going to Hampshire too. Hope you liked that.

Any sign of Surrey disciplining Dernbach in any way? Or is his involvement regarded as incidental rather than as an accessory??

haven't actually asked this yet but....what do surrey fans think of Ponting's arrival this summer?

CF - Ponting is a very strong signing, both as regards batting and character. Much needed. He'll be excellent cover in the CC when Smith is away and, together with Smith, should give a real boost to the t20 performances. As flagged in my earlier post to Chichester, Surrey don't actually have that many batsmen on their books currently.

Corporal - I presume Glamorgan have signed Dirk Nannes on the basis of (much) past reputation. He struck me as a busted flush last season.

Kwini - Dernbach apparently had talks with the Club the other day. I get the impression that it's not a matter of disciplining him but laying down / confirming ground rules, ensuring he's on the right track, offering guidance if needed etc whilst spelling out what might happen if he goes off the straight and narrow. Some posters on the Supporters' website (Oval World on the Net) are calling for his head; without knowing all the background and despite not being a great fan of Dernbach, I don't think that's fair. I feel some are gunning for him mainly because Hamilton-Brown is no longer there to take their flak.

Chichester et al - we stayed at the Mill Stream about 100 yards inland so left the jalopy there and explored Bosham on foot. Had a super meal at the Anchor Bleu one evening. Drove to Dell Quay another day and enjoyed - in moderation - the delights of the Crown & Anchor!

Links to an article about bad times Maynards senior have been going through...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/counties/9904264/Cricket-prodigy-Tom-Maynards-father-says-after-inquest-His-lifes-worth-remembering-for-more-than-these-drug-findings.html

Just to add to the points already made - I don't think our younger players will find their playing time restricted, there will still be room for Burns/Roy and hopefully Sibley at some point. It would be nice to have someone knocking at the door if someone like Solanki/ZdB is having a bad season so encouraging that guildford suggests we may be trying to find others.

Fitness permitting I'm not sure I would particularly want Dernbach playing for us in the Championship games - Meaker, Tremlett and Viscount would be ahead of him for me, and with the signing of Keedy we are surely likely to play 2 spinners often which reduces the number of seamers picked. Jon Lewis is still around as well although I won't lose much sleep if he doesn't get much game time this season.

The Maynard inquest didn't raise any massive surprises, the whole thing is massively sad and I would like to think that the tragedy will at least help to prevent similar things happening in the future. If players have a drug/drink problem then they need to know that the clubs/association will help them through it rather than throw the book at them and turn their back. I find it confusing that Surrey categorically deny there being a drink/drug cultire at the club but then say they will talk to each player individually - doesn't really make sense does it?

Anyway, looking forward to Guildford this year even more now, I hope to get to a few random other days during the season as time allows as well which would be nice.

kwinigolfer wrote:chichester,
A lovely little spot, I like Dell Quay too. Thirty years since I've been there but still . . . . .
(I once did a mini-thesis on the economic impact of the closure of the Petersfield/Midhurst railway line. Not trying to date myself or anything.)

I'm afraid, Kwinigolfer but that date you a bit ... should never have closed the line...!!! part of the old line goes through the garden of an aunt and uncle of mine who live in Petersfield! there are still small sections of the old line where you can still get access to.. but most now completely overgrown or sold off and in private ownership... atleast the Chichester - Midhurst line.. one section of it between Chi and Lavant (the centurian way) is a lovely cycle path and where I learnt to ride a bike for the first time at the young age of 40

Guildfordbat... hope you enjoyed the Millsteam... lovely place... I've been there twice... on both occasions it was when my wife had a birthday with a 0 in it, 10 years apart... I'll say no more than that

Chichester - yes, similar. I wouldn't want you to think the Mill Stream is every day living for the Bats! Anyway, I trust Mrs ChichesterSurreyFan enjoyed her 20th and 30th birthdays there.

PS I trust you and all cricket followers will be voting for Sobers today on the GOAT thread.

dernbach is a gooner and with ramps retiring we need at least one at the club

jimbobgooner wrote:dernbach is a gooner and with ramps retiring we need at least one at the club

Are you sure, JimBob? I've seen him at Woking supporting the Cardinals!

Five weeks tomorrow to our first CC match of 2013 and counting - how's the big game preview coming on, JimBob?

jimbobgooner wrote:dernbach is a gooner and with ramps retiring we need at least one at the club

Davies is a gooner too as he often talks on Twitter about them, although he has also been spotted at Kidderminster Harriers too when he is back home.

guildfordbat wrote:

jimbobgooner wrote:dernbach is a gooner and with ramps retiring we need at least one at the club

Are you sure, JimBob? I've seen him at Woking supporting the Cardinals!

Five weeks tomorrow to our first CC match of 2013 and counting - how's the big game preview coming on, JimBob?

i'm almost there guildford will be strange not to have river in the squad

looking forward to Jimbob's pre=match team sheets and comments

CF wrote:looking forward to Jimbob's pre=match team sheets and comments

im reporting all of these posts that you make with just a face Nick..its spamming

How is it?

Maybe he thinks its funny everyone has a different sense of humor.

Not in this case.

CF don't cry about it.

About 3 celsius with biting wind and flakes of sleet and snow today. Doesn't feel like c 3 weeks to start of the friendlies.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:About 3 celsius with biting wind and flakes of sleet and snow today. Doesn't feel like c 3 weeks to start of the friendlies.

It felt colder than that on the first day of the actual CC season last season which was in late March!

Corporal - sad news if not already known. I learned yesterday that Ann Barrington, widow of Ken, died last September at the age of 79. A much admired lady - she dealt significantly with the organisation of Ken's benefit season and later the running of his garage business in Surrey. She was also a member of the Lady Taverners and did a lot of charity work for disabled children.

Guildford - thanks for the news of Mrs Barrington - I had not heard that.

I see that Gary Wilson has been scoring runs for Ireland against the UAE. Latest innings an unbeaten 72.

Good point made by Shelsey on the ''NZ v Eng Third Test'' thread which might prove of benefit to Surrey.

With Pietersen being ruled of cricket for the next six to eight weeks, it's likely he'll need a warm up match with Surrey before resuming England duties.

Graeme Smith couldn't field today and is expected to miss SA's 5th ODI v Pakistan because of the recurrence of a long-standing ankle injury. I guess he must also be a doubt for the start of the county season then.

Spriegel scores 66 opening for Northants in a friendly in Barbados. In an interview he says his aim is to play every game of the season...

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Spriegel scores 66 opening for Northants in a friendly in Barbados. In an interview he says his aim is to play every game of the season...

Good luck to Spriegel. We never gave him a fair crack of the whip.

Meanwhile, our opening friendly is on Tuesday week against Kent at Canterbury. Got a 10 day weather forecast, Corporal?

The season is getting closer! First warm up game of the season in SA:

http://www.crichq.com/matches/36281

In terms of batting Burns and Solanki seem to have done well, sadly Roy and Davies seemes to still be off form.
But still early days of course.

Thanks, Kidder.

Seems a bit of a bizarre match - there only seem to be about 14 players involved with most/all taking turns for each side! Emphasis on warm up, I guess.

Understand the Academy lads are also flying out (they wouldn't all fit in the Berger van! ) to give the first team squad a game.

guildfordbat wrote: Seems a bit of a bizarre match - there only seem to be about 14 players involved with most/all taking turns for each side! Emphasis on warm up, I guess.

Seems like a very good objective atm!

Forecast temperature on BBC website only goes as far as Thurs - 4 celsius for Canterbury. Start assembling the picnic hamper!

Lots of positive things being said about one Laurie Evans, he scored 72 in Abu Dhabi for Warwickshire yesterday against the MCC and is expected to play in their middle order in all forms. He is someone who for some strange reason just wasn't given a chance here while at the same time the likes of Walters and Afzaal played a lot of games (and failed). I hope he goes on to do well but if he does questions will have to be asked.

Carrot - I was looking at that scorecard, too, with interest. I recall Evans had very few first team opportunities last season for Warks. So it would seem a bit surprising if it has now suddenly been decided that he is likely to play regularly in all forms.

I agree that if he turns into a front line batsman for Warks there will be important questions to be asked of Surrey management. (Ditto with Spriegel in relation to the first class game!)

Cricket season nearly upon us

jimbohammers wrote:Cricket season nearly upon us

Couple more wins and a draw for the Hammers then I can forget about them and concentrate on worrying about Surrey

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Carrot - I was looking at that scorecard, too, with interest. I recall Evans had very few first team opportunities last season for Warks. So it would seem a bit surprising if it has now suddenly been decided that he is likely to play regularly in all forms.

I agree that if he turns into a front line batsman for Warks there will be important questions to be asked of Surrey management. (Ditto with Spriegel in relation to the first class game!)

Not sure if anything has changed in terms of personnel for Warks but I definitely read somewhere that people expect him to be in their middle order. I recall he was a T20 regular last season and did pretty well.

corporal haha,yeah a couple of wins will do it, big game on Saturday! Im going and i havent seen us win this season...

I've just heard we're playing a friendly in Canterbury on Tuesday and I am not at work and live 15 minutes away so weather permitting I'd be silly not to go

Carrot - make sure to take a thermos of piping hot soup!

It's a two dayer starting on Tuesday at Canterbury. Format of the game is still undecided as far as I'm aware. I'm sure both Surrey and Kent will mainly care about getting a bat and a bowl rather than being too bothered about trying to force a win.

Another two dayer against Hants at the Rose Bowl (or whatever they call it this week) starts on the Thursday.

In response to King Carlos' post on the ''Counties Ins and Outs'' thread -

Understand your concerns about Dernbach. Many had similar feelings last season. His bowling was too often poorish and certainly nowhere near as good as his body language suggested.

As well as the seamers you flagged, I understand George Edwards is highly regarded and so will probably come into contention at some stage.

Another who would bring more strength to the batting is Tom Jewell. That might be important if we're trying to play both Gareth Batty and Gary Keedy as well as two other front line seamers.

We are currently playing a 2 day game against Kent and for some reason we are playing 3 wicketkeepers - i guess that's our slip fielders sorted

Also have a trialist playing.. Zimbabwean bowler Glenn Querl who?

ah yes, wondered when he would get a game.

The Viscount sounds positive about the Surrey training trip to SA. The best two and half weeks training since he's been at Surrey. Apparently. Probably also helped not training in Arctic conditions...

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:The Viscount sounds positive about the Surrey training trip to SA. The best two and half weeks training since he's been at Surrey. Apparently. Probably also helped not training in Arctic conditions...

... although, over at Middlesex, Gus Fraser said this week that the best preparation for horrible English conditions is - horrible English conditions!