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

Yep.

Middlesex have been training under a tent at Radlett CC (which, having played junior matches there myself, I can tell you is not a warm place even on a sunny June evening!). Even after it snowed they trained there. Seems to have done them some good as they hammered Somerset in a warm-up.

However, I tend to think its probably better to train in some decent weather personally.

they nicked that idea from the essex boys!!!!!!!!!!

Carrotdude wrote: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

Should be good. Forecast temperature for Canterbury on Tues = 5 celsius. Maybe a good idea to shear the llamas before then

Good to see Sibley has been in good form for the Academy side, scoring 139 against a SA team - Boland.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:

Carrotdude wrote: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

Should be good. Forecast temperature for Canterbury on Tues = 5 celsius. Maybe a good idea to shear the llamas before then

I hadn't factored in Monday being a bank holiday meaning I need to get my errands done on Tuesday. That + the cold + a poorly wife means I will probably be bailing out of this plan already!

Speaking of training and playing in less than perfect conditions, Somerset might not be having these problems for much longer...

http://www.somersetcountycc.co.uk/2013/03/somerset-unveil-plans-for-domerset-arena/#.UVjGlxyceSo

Surprised they announced the plans on 31 March. Seems an odd time to bring out such an announcement....

Adams has named a 13 man squad for the two-day friendlies away to Kent and Hants this week. As listed:
Burns, Harinath, Roy, Solanki, Davies, Wilson, Batty, Keedy, Lewis, Linley, Meaker, Dernbach and Tremlett.

The batting looks far from convincing with Smith, Pietersen, Ponting and Ansari unavailable for a mix of reasons. I also assume de Bruyn hasn't returned yet to the Oval.

If we were to go with the same squad for our opening CC fixture, I would be concerned at Batty batting as high as seven. Thought we could have used these friendlies to again try out Jewell. He's the most likely effective bridge between the batsmen and the bowlers.

Suspect it's significant that Tremlett is named last in the list. Pretty sure that his workload will be carefully managed and that he won't be over exerting himself this week.

In addition to Jewell, Edwards and Dunn also fail to make to the squad. With so many seamers around, it's going to be tough for them to break through unless there are injuries or international call ups.

Guildford - agree the batting looks thin. Could end up have to ask Sibley to bunk off school in the early part of the season...

Roy batting at 3 if you take that list at face value. Maybe that's the plan until Smith is available to leave Solanki to get used to batting 4 then Smith will open, Harinath at 3 and then Roy to 6/7 or dropped depending on what's happened up to that point?

If he is playing at 3 I can't say it's a great idea, needs to be number 6 really until he tightens up his technique. Before the Maynard tragedy last season I thought he was making some progress in the CC without any massive score to show for it so I really hope he pushes on this time around. In a way I think this may be a make or break year for young Jason.

I wonder who will not play from the bowling side of things, I imagine Keedy and Linley will miss out.

The batting looks thin but other than certain games when Smith, Ponting and KP are around we could be saying that all season. With De Bruyn gone it's looking even more worrying than I expected though.

As for Roy I really hope he kicks on but at the same time don't want it to be viewed as a make or break season for him. Too many young players with his talent have passed us by in recent years due to lack of opportunities or patience, let's not see another please!

As for the bowling if the Viscount does miss out to Lewis or even Dernbach in CC games I wont be particularly happy (or surprised for that mater). Good to see Tremlett in the squad though even if we do only see a few overs from him - I'd be surprised if he featured in first class games before he came through some 40 over stuff at full intensity.

Tremlett misses out, teams name 12 players each with one nominated non-batsman, Keedy is ours. Kent bat first.

Carrotdude wrote:Tremlett misses out, teams name 12 players each with one nominated non-batsman, Keedy is ours. Kent bat first.

Thanks, Carrot. Not surprised by any of that. Kid glove treatment for Tremlett. Winter gloves for the rest!

34/2, Lewis and Linley with a wicket each.

England Performance Squad named today, with absolutely no surprises as far as our players concerned:

In are Pieterson, Dernbach, Meaker and of course Tremlett reflecting his continued recovery from injury. Davies not included for the first time for a few years.

102/3 at lunch, Keedy got the other wicket.

161/4. Dernbach picks up a wicket.

183/5 now, Batty in on the act, just Meaker who hasn't taken a wicket now.

Batty will be a key player for surrey this year IMO..

Senior man in the dressing room, needs to stand up and be counted.

Long partnership comes to an end, Jones bowled for 56 by the Viscount. 277/6

Kent finish 318/8 with Roy getting the last 2 wickets, Harinath was bowling as well so I guess we were letting them get a score? Either that or our bowlers had reached a quota of overs they wanted them to bowl in a day.

Looks as tho temperature might scrape up to 4 celsius tomorrow at Canterbury....

Covers on - snow

bloody weather!!

A good day in the end for Surrey, Roy 55, Burns 79, Harinath 79*, Davies 103*. Solanki was the only one who failed after being bowled by Tredwell for 1.

I didn't envy the guys today, it was around 4 celcius but there was a bitterly cold wind all day (at least there was at my work) so it felt even colder.

Carrotdude wrote:A good day in the end for Surrey, Roy 55, Burns 79, Harinath 79*, Davies 103*. Solanki was the only one who failed after being bowled by Tredwell for 1.

I didn't envy the guys today, it was around 4 celcius but there was a bitterly cold wind all day (at least there was at my work) so it felt even colder.

Carrot - yep, echo all that.

Possibly significant that Roy was Burns' opening partner with Harinath moving down the order from the end of last season to number three. I suspect that Roy may only temporarily be keeping the opener's spot warm awaiting Smith's arrival and that Roy will then be battling Wilson for the last batting place in the late middle order.

That said, runs even in a friendly match should count for something and Roy tonight is fifty odd ahead of Solanki.

I also think it likely that upon his return (next week?) the Brain will slot straight in at around number five and also be our fifth bowler.

Just viewed yesterday's highlights on Surrey tv. Difficult to form much of an impression other than it was damed cold! Also watched brief highlights of the squad practice game in South Africa - Sibley looked composed in making 40 plus.

Encouraging workout for four of our batsmen.

Hope none of the players on either side ended up with broken fingers. Must have been a three or four sweater day for anyone fielding in the slips. As I type there is light snow falling here.

guildfordbat wrote:

Carrotdude wrote:A good day in the end for Surrey, Roy 55, Burns 79, Harinath 79*, Davies 103*. Solanki was the only one who failed after being bowled by Tredwell for 1.

I didn't envy the guys today, it was around 4 celcius but there was a bitterly cold wind all day (at least there was at my work) so it felt even colder.

Carrot - yep, echo all that.

Possibly significant that Roy was Burns' opening partner with Harinath moving down the order from the end of last season to number three. I suspect that Roy may only temporarily be keeping the opener's spot warm awaiting Smith's arrival and that Roy will then be battling Wilson for the last batting place in the late middle order.

That said, runs even in a friendly match should count for something and Roy tonight is fifty odd ahead of Solanki.

I also think it likely that upon his return (next week?) the Brain will slot straight in at around number five and also be our fifth bowler.

Just viewed yesterday's highlights on Surrey tv. Difficult to form much of an impression other than it was damed cold! Also watched brief highlights of the squad practice game in South Africa - Sibley looked composed in making 40 plus.

My thoughts exactly, guildford, makes sense to keep Solanki and Harinath in the positions they will be occupying, Roy to open until Smith arrives and then I guess he'll be fighting with Wilson and maybe a bowler for the number 7 slot.

Hampshire vs Surrey today - Surrey 99/0, players currently off for snow!

jimbohammers wrote:Hampshire vs Surrey today - Surrey 99/0, players currently off for snow!

into the pavilion for plenty of I hope.

Good to see Roy showing some form.

A wicket each for Tremlett, Dernbach and Meaker in Hampshire's innings and a not out 50 for Wilson when Surrey batted. Solanki made 21, Harinath 3 and Batty 32*. Bit of a rubbish game thanks to the snow but at least there are a few more miles in legs.

Zafar Ansari bowled 1/62 for Cambridge against Essex today but was dismissed for just 2.

Carrotdude wrote:A wicket each for Tremlett, Dernbach and Meaker in Hampshire's innings and a not out 50 for Wilson when Surrey batted. Solanki made 21, Harinath 3 and Batty 32*. Bit of a rubbish game thanks to the snow but at least there are a few more miles in legs.

Wilson needed that 50 to stand a chance of making the CC opener. Assuming Smith is fit (far from certain) and de Bruyn is back, very tricky to see who'll miss out.

Batty's runs may also have a bearing and persuade Adams that he can bat as high as number seven. Although I have serious doubts, that would allow us to play five front line bowlers which in turn might increase the chances of Tremlett getting a game. I suspect that Tremlett is less likely to be trusted if we field only a four man attack.

Thoughts?

Personally I think we will play 4 bowlers with De Bruyn as the 5th option, especially early on when you would expect batting to be trickier and spinners to be less effective. With Burns, Smith, Harinath, Davies and ZdB nailed on that means that one of Wilson, Roy and Solanki will miss out. I assume it will be Wilson based on Solanki's recent arrival and Roy's pre season runs. I agree with this personally as I think Roy has to play every match to aid his development and Solanki needs to show what he can do but anyone who starts the season poorly can be replaced comfortably with Wilson so it's nice to have a little bit of depth. I suppose that if De Bruyn bats poorly in the first couple of matches you could alwasy add an extra bowler as you won't be losing any runs and gaining a better bowler.

My team for the first match:

Smith
Burns
Harinath
Solanki
Davies
Roy
De Bruyn
Batty
Lewis
Meaker
Linley

Carrot - you may well be right, though Dernbach might well replace either Lewis or the Viscount - depending on who is deemed to be showing the best form. I would be tempted to put start with both Wilson and Roy ahead of Solanki - but that may be more of a reflection of my doubts over whether Solanki will recapture his form.

Carrotdude wrote:Zafar Ansari bowled 1/62 for Cambridge against Essex today but was dismissed for just 2.

Also a tough opener for the Berger Van, who took 1 - 65 off 19 overs in the match between the two Durhams. So at least he was tidy.

Morning Carrot and Corporal - good posts on possible team permutations. Always tricky to distinguish between what you feel the team will be and what you feel it should be.

Interesting that neither of you have Tremlett in the starting line up. That's understandable and especially so if we pick only four front line bowlers. I do feel the England squad selectors and some posters on other threads are in danger of getting too far ahead there.

It may depend on if he plays in the seconds game this week and how he gets on. I think Dernbach would play ahead of Linley in my line up I posted earlier and wouldn't be surprised if Keedy plays instead of Roy.

My omission of Tremlett was I think it's fair to say accidental rather than a cunning bit of strategy. If Tremlett is sufficiently fit I think he should definitely play ahead of Lewis.

Carrotdude wrote:It may depend on if he plays in the seconds game this week and how he gets on. I think Dernbach would play ahead of Linley in my line up I posted earlier and wouldn't be surprised if Keedy plays instead of Roy.

Yep, I think Tremlett should play in this week's 3 day seconds game. Assuming all goes well, Tremlett will still then have a week to rest / prepare before the CC opener. If he can't last the distance, best to know now.

Yep again, Linley was often the fall guy last season and may be so again.

Nope, I doubt that Keedy will edge Roy out. Roy did himself a lot of good in this week's friendlies. I think the weather (that's the Corporal's speciality so I'll leave him to comment on what's going to happen with that! ) will need to improve a lot for us to start with two spinners. Batty and his batting will claim the first spinners' place.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:My omission of Tremlett was I think it's fair to say accidental rather than a cunning bit of strategy. If Tremlett is sufficiently fit I think he should definitely play ahead of Lewis.

Corporal - sadly it is now almost compulsory for any comments as to Tremlett's availability and fitness to be preceded by ''if''.

I believe it is well known that I would definitely play many ahead of Lewis. If not yourself, certainly Chichester!

guildfordbat wrote:I believe it is well known that I would definitely play many ahead of Lewis. If not yourself, certainly Chichester!

Lewis edges me out on account of his batting?

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:I believe it is well known that I would definitely play many ahead of Lewis. If not yourself, certainly Chichester!

Lewis edges me out on account of his batting?

Only just, Corporal, only just!

Q: How do you stop Lewis bowling no balls?
A: Don't pick him!

I see we've named our first team for the 3 day second 11 game starting tomorrow, same squad as the friendlies. I Imagine we'll play the team we'll be looking to play in the Championship opener minus Smith - I'm starting to think that ZdB won't be involved next week as he still isn't back and doesn't seem to have played any competitive cricket for a while having not been involved in the T20's in SA.

Carrot - if we're looking for clues as to the likely starting eleven for the first team's CC opener later this month, possibly significant that Lewis and Keedy are respectively the twelfth and thirteenth names listed (the rest apppear in probable batting order).

However, assuming CC second team games follow the same format as last season with 12 named including a nominated non-batsman, at least one of Lewis and Keedy will still be involved in this week's match.

I appreciate we want to be as prepared as possible for the start of the first eleven season and it's a long hard season etc, etc but I do have sympathies for the likes of Jewell, Dunn and Edwards who again miss out. This squad hardly sends out any encouragement to them. There is a one day second eleven game on Thursday - certainly hope they get a run out then.

Don't know what is going on with de Bruyn but seem to recall him cutting his return pretty fine in the past.

guildfordbat wrote: Don't know what is going on with de Bruyn but seem to recall him cutting his return pretty fine in the past.

Omitting him from the first cc match would seem to be a no Brainer....

Corporal -

In other news Ansari made a determined 31 off 94 balls today for Cambridge.

Carrotdude wrote: Corporal -

In other news Ansari made a determined 31 off 94 balls today for Cambridge.

Hi Carrotude - a charitable grin at my feeble joke

Interesting to see Ansari trying to get to grips with first class game. He whacks it around freely in T20 etc but is dogged and sometimes near strokeless when opening in first class game. His batting average is hovering around 18 - so he'll be looking to improve on that.

I think he definitely can and will improve his record, next season he should be with us full time so that should be when we see a marked improvement. I actually think he is most suited to being a long term number 7 batsman and second spinner in all formats as although he's shown an excellent temperament opening I don't think it is his best position and in the next year or 2 we will surely be seeing a certain Mr. Sibley doing that job.

guildfordbat wrote:Carrot - if we're looking for clues as to the likely starting eleven for the first team's CC opener later this month, possibly significant that Lewis and Keedy are respectively the twelfth and thirteenth names listed (the rest apppear in probable batting order).

However, assuming CC second team games follow the same format as last season with 12 named including a nominated non-batsman, at least one of Lewis and Keedy will still be involved in this week's match.

I appreciate we want to be as prepared as possible for the start of the first eleven season and it's a long hard season etc, etc but I do have sympathies for the likes of Jewell, Dunn and Edwards who again miss out. This squad hardly sends out any encouragement to them. There is a one day second eleven game on Thursday - certainly hope they get a run out then.

Don't know what is going on with de Bruyn but seem to recall him cutting his return pretty fine in the past.

By the looks of it we had planned this to be an extra friendly for the first time rather than organise another one, it should be more competitive than a friendly I suppose as it is an actual second 11 game. That's good about the nominated non-batsman thing as it means only one player (Keedy?) will miss out entirely. It will turn into a bit of a fight out for the seamer spots between Lewis, Linley and Tremlett as they are all seemingly fighting over one spot (I'm assuming Dernbach and Meaker are nailed on to play).