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

Our first come, first served system at DEC has denied me Thursday and Friday at Lord's next week but the flip-side to that is that I might end up at Guildford on Friday as, oddly, it is easier for me to get to than Northampton!

Here's a surprise. Spriegel scores 118* to help Northants win their 2nd XI match against Surrey. Encouraging that, opening for Surrey, Sibley scored a solid 68.

But Spriegel gets first ball duck in cc. His aim of consolidating a place in cc team not going too well at the moment

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:But Spriegel gets first ball duck in cc. His aim of consolidating a place in cc team not going too well at the moment

I know a real pity. After bring dumped by us I hoped he would do well for Northants. He deserves it, but he seems to be struggling to fit in there at the moment.

Not now going to Guildford as after not checking/ replying to his e-mails for a week the 'Communications Officer' has decided that there is insufficient space in the press area (I blame Ponting)...

Will report from home but that interview with Adams will have to wait until the T20 (Surrey's schedule this year is crazy with the CT - virtually all the games at The Oval have either already happened or happen in the last few weeks of the season!).

I must say I'm getting more than a bit worried by Meaker. When I first saw him play I thought he was the real deal: pace, movement, and more importantly seemingly a good temperament. A genuine wicket-taking threat who would surely have his off-days, but would be an asset to any team.

However if you have such a bowler in your side, you need his good days to be really really hot, and ideally on his bad days him to pick up wickets anyway. This was the case with Mitch Johnson for a while - on his day he'd take 5 or 6 for nothing, but even on bad days (such as Cardiff and Lords in 09) he'd still pick up the odd wicket (3-100, 2-45 and 3-130 or so IIRC - not ideal, but you're willing to put up with that for his spell at Headingley say); similarly for the likes of Lee when he burst onto the scene, or Shaun Tait (in ODIs - on a bad day he'd get 2-70 which is poor but not catastrophic). Meaker seems to have gone the other way: so far this season he has varied from "good but not match-winning" (3-50 say) to "so poor it's almost match losing" (1-100 at 5 per over today).

I've not seen him bowl this year of course - has anything changed? Is he not improving as hoped? Who's the bowling coach at Surrey and any rumours?

Particularly with Surrey's bowling problems where they struggle to bowl sides out with 4 or 5 bowlers, it's a worry if they can't trust Meaker to bowl more.

Just a heads up guys, in today's Times Mike Atherton's basically devoted his whole column to criticising Surrey for failing to develop local talent and preferring to buy-in. Harsh.

Pete C (Kiwireddevil) wrote:Just a heads up guys, in today's Times Mike Atherton's basically devoted his whole column to criticising Surrey for failing to develop local talent and preferring to buy-in. Harsh.

Yep. Particularly so as Atherton would have played with Adams. I'm pretty certain Adams has done some commentary with Atherton too.

"The Burger Van" has just been dimissed for 106 off 115 against Derbyshire for Durham MCCU! All this from number 9!

JDizzle wrote:"The Burger Van" has just been dismissed for 106 off 115 against Derbyshire for Durham MCCU! All this from number 9!

And included five 6s Which is noteworthy considering his somewhat waif-like build.

Mike Selig wrote:I must say I'm getting more than a bit worried by Meaker. When I first saw him play I thought he was the real deal: pace, movement, and more importantly seemingly a good temperament. A genuine wicket-taking threat who would surely have his off-days, but would be an asset to any team.

However if you have such a bowler in your side, you need his good days to be really really hot, and ideally on his bad days him to pick up wickets anyway. This was the case with Mitch Johnson for a while - on his day he'd take 5 or 6 for nothing, but even on bad days (such as Cardiff and Lords in 09) he'd still pick up the odd wicket (3-100, 2-45 and 3-130 or so IIRC - not ideal, but you're willing to put up with that for his spell at Headingley say); similarly for the likes of Lee when he burst onto the scene, or Shaun Tait (in ODIs - on a bad day he'd get 2-70 which is poor but not catastrophic). Meaker seems to have gone the other way: so far this season he has varied from "good but not match-winning" (3-50 say) to "so poor it's almost match losing" (1-100 at 5 per over today).

I've not seen him bowl this year of course - has anything changed? Is he not improving as hoped? Who's the bowling coach at Surrey and any rumours?

Particularly with Surrey's bowling problems where they struggle to bowl sides out with 4 or 5 bowlers, it's a worry if they can't trust Meaker to bowl more.

Mike - several comments but will respond tonight. I should see a fine local journalist at the ground today and hope to get a bit more of the ''inside''.

Shelsey - sorry you're confined to barracks (as the Corporal would say).

Latest Surrey News from the same source -

* Surrey have signed Australian allrounder Glenn Maxwell for half the T20 programme from next month

* S African batsman and off spinner J P Duminy joins the Club in early August as a temporary replacement for Graeme Smith.

Glen Mawell? Nooooooo, he's a Hampshire lad!

Meant to say earlier that Pietersen was netting with the Surrey players before the (scheduled) start yesterday. The delights of Woodbridge Road were not for him as he left the Guildford ground some time before noon.

The word was that Pietersen was expected to play for Surrey "soon" although no exact date could be given. I just wonder ....

guildfordbat wrote:

Mike Selig wrote:I must say I'm getting more than a bit worried by Meaker. When I first saw him play I thought he was the real deal: pace, movement, and more importantly seemingly a good temperament. A genuine wicket-taking threat who would surely have his off-days, but would be an asset to any team.

However if you have such a bowler in your side, you need his good days to be really really hot, and ideally on his bad days him to pick up wickets anyway. This was the case with Mitch Johnson for a while - on his day he'd take 5 or 6 for nothing, but even on bad days (such as Cardiff and Lords in 09) he'd still pick up the odd wicket (3-100, 2-45 and 3-130 or so IIRC - not ideal, but you're willing to put up with that for his spell at Headingley say); similarly for the likes of Lee when he burst onto the scene, or Shaun Tait (in ODIs - on a bad day he'd get 2-70 which is poor but not catastrophic). Meaker seems to have gone the other way: so far this season he has varied from "good but not match-winning" (3-50 say) to "so poor it's almost match losing" (1-100 at 5 per over today).

I've not seen him bowl this year of course - has anything changed? Is he not improving as hoped? Who's the bowling coach at Surrey and any rumours?

Particularly with Surrey's bowling problems where they struggle to bowl sides out with 4 or 5 bowlers, it's a worry if they can't trust Meaker to bowl more.

Mike - several comments but will respond tonight. I should see a fine local journalist at the ground today and hope to get a bit more of the ''inside''.

Shelsey - sorry you're confined to barracks (as the Corporal would say).

Latest Surrey News from the same source -

* Surrey have signed Australian allrounder Glenn Maxwell for half the T20 programme from next month

* S African batsman and off spinner J P Duminy joins the Club in early August as a temporary replacement for Graeme Smith.

Guildford, just wondering if you'd got any response to the above?

Maxwell is a good signing for the T20 you have to think. But goodness me, Surrey are playing some poor cricket at the moment...

Mike - my apologies. I did a pretty thorough reply on my Blackberry on Saturday morning only for the battery to die and the message to be lost as I pressed 'send'. I'm afraid I haven't had the time over the week-end to try again - after three blissful days watching cricket, I had a considerable backlog of work and Mrs Bat related tasks to do yesterday and this morning before once more heading to the Woodbridge Road ground this afternoon. I'll rectify soon.

As a possible taster - Meaker did not play today. The Club website stated he was injured although gave no further details. A Club Committee member and a local cricket journalist I spoke to were unaware of any injury.

The sword is hanging by a thin thread.Expect an announcement of the departure of The Grizzly one within the week,when they've agreed a pay off.
He's lost it completely as proven by his wild Twitter messages towards former Surrey legends Butch and Ramps which he was forced by the club to remove.

LOVERBOY wrote:The sword is hanging by a thin thread.Expect an announcement of the departure of The Grizzly one within the week,when they've agreed a pay off.
He's lost it completely as proven by his wild Twitter messages towards former Surrey legends Butch and Ramps which he was forced by the club to remove.

Hiya Lover - here we are, the Surrey boys on this forum, down on our knees thinking things can't get any worse and you rock up! ;-)

I can't see Adams surviving too long - he's lost most of the supporters and certainly some of the Club's committee men (as confirmed to me yesterday by someone I expected to be far more discreet). However, up until now, he's had the complete support of Chairman Thompson and CEO Gould. That's why I don't envisage matters coming to a head so quickly - unless they've changed allegiances. Are you sure about your source? I didn't think Adams used twitter.

Oh I'm pretty sure GB.The Chairman knows he's fighting a losing battle.Expect some weasel words from all when he goes.and as for Twitter ask those you know

nice to see middlesex fans caring so much about us

I think I've reached the tipping point now. I've tried my best to be positive, to try and see the reasoning behind certain decisions I didn't like and to find excuses for bad performances but I've had enough now.

I don't like the way the club is being run at the moment, I don't like the fact we have 5/6 37 year olds in our side, I don't like the fact that promising youngsters aren't getting a look in. Add to that the fact that the same mistakes are being made again and again - how many times has a batsman got a double hundred (or near enough) against us in the first innings this year? There doesn't seem to be any plans in place for certain bowlers or batsmen, the captaincy is generally uninspiring (admittedly we have now lost 2 captains to injury).

I also wonder about the quality of the coaching for the young players - I don't know much about this to be able to comment further but the fact we dumped Ramps who is now coaching Middlesex speaks volumes imo.

LOVERBOY wrote:The sword is hanging by a thin thread.Expect an announcement of the departure of The Grizzly one within the week,when they've agreed a pay off.
He's lost it completely as proven by his wild Twitter messages towards former Surrey legends Butch and Ramps which he was forced by the club to remove.

A guest appearance from Lover And with a hot tip from within the rival stables.

Hardly news that the discontent has been spreading in the Surrey ranks, including parts of the hierarchy. But a specific prediction of an announcement of Adams' departure within one week. You heard it here first.

Interesting stuff from Loverboy. He seems to have some inside info although he hasn't always been right (was wrong about Middx re-signing someone in the winter).

From a self-interested perspective I hope he hangs around at least until the T20 so I can get that interview with him

Shelsey93 wrote:Interesting stuff from Loverboy. He seems to have some inside info although he hasn't always been right (was wrong about Middx re-signing someone in the winter).

From a self-interested perspective I hope he hangs around at least until the T20 so I can get that interview with him

Shelsey - you may even get THE exclusive. Lull Adams into a false sense of security with a couple of soft questions and then casually go for the killer question. David Frost rather than Paxman might do the trick.....

Shelsey93 wrote:Interesting stuff from Loverboy. He seems to have some inside info although he hasn't always been right (was wrong about Middx re-signing someone in the winter).

From a self-interested perspective I hope he hangs around at least until the T20 so I can get that interview with him

Shelsy - ah, I see. You mean Adams. I thought you were talking about an interview with Loverboy.

Sometimes I, m wrong but often not.I'd put serious money on Arundel being Grizzler's last stand.The dressing room's almost in open revolt.With half the season gone and a big zero in the wins column, the trap door's gaping.

Umn

Mike Selig wrote:I must say I'm getting more than a bit worried by Meaker. When I first saw him play I thought he was the real deal: pace, movement, and more importantly seemingly a good temperament. A genuine wicket-taking threat who would surely have his off-days, but would be an asset to any team.

However if you have such a bowler in your side, you need his good days to be really really hot, and ideally on his bad days him to pick up wickets anyway. This was the case with Mitch Johnson for a while - on his day he'd take 5 or 6 for nothing, but even on bad days (such as Cardiff and Lords in 09) he'd still pick up the odd wicket (3-100, 2-45 and 3-130 or so IIRC - not ideal, but you're willing to put up with that for his spell at Headingley say); similarly for the likes of Lee when he burst onto the scene, or Shaun Tait (in ODIs - on a bad day he'd get 2-70 which is poor but not catastrophic). Meaker seems to have gone the other way: so far this season he has varied from "good but not match-winning" (3-50 say) to "so poor it's almost match losing" (1-100 at 5 per over today).

I've not seen him bowl this year of course - has anything changed? Is he not improving as hoped? Who's the bowling coach at Surrey and any rumours?

Particularly with Surrey's bowling problems where they struggle to bowl sides out with 4 or 5 bowlers, it's a worry if they can't trust Meaker to bowl more.

Mike - firstly, many apologies for my belated promised response.

I think the key point to make about Surrey's bowlers is that they are not working well as a unit. Even with allowance for a flat Guildford track, this was blatantly apparent from the scorecard alone in last week's CC match against Warks. However, those watching Surrey have been aware of issues for much of the season. There are several reasons for this and I'll try to link some of them into Meaker later in this post. The reasons include:

* Injuries / Lack of Fitness - Batty is currently out injured and will be so for a few more weeks. Not only is Batty an experienced and handy spinner but a highly motivating force on the field to his team mates and particularly the bowlers. By way of small example even though not on the field (and I'll be disappointed if you don't lap this up!), when Lewis was subbed at Guildford last week Batty came straight down the balcony steps to pat him on the back. Meanwhile, Tremlett is still some way off full fitness although there have been some encouraging signs. The most number of overs that Tremlett can bowl in any one spell at the moment is six. This leads to the next point.

* Too Much Fill in Bowling - as Adams said at the AGM immediately pre-season, a decision has been made to ''play the extra batsman''. With no genuine allrounder in the side, we are therefore playing four frontline bowlers and asking de Bruyn to act as the fifth bowler. Due to Tremlett's situation and the fact that the main bowlers are hardly skittling opponents, de Bruyn is sometimes having to bowl nearly 20 overs in the day. That is far too much for someone who is generally tidy but a long way from being penetrative. A spell from him often appears to simply give the batsman a breather and release from any pressure.

* Some Bowlers Too Aged and Not Good Enough - Keedy, 38, has 3 CC wickets this season at a cost in excess of 127 each. Lewis, shortly 38, is now little more than a squad player blocking the way of Dunn and Edwards (spoke to a sensible young lad on Friday who has played with Edwards and rates him highly) who desperately need first team cricket if they are not to stagnate.

* Uncertainty over the Bowling Line Up and Type of Bowlers - Adams started the season with two spinners in his four man frontline bowling lineup. This seemed very strange given pitch conditions together with the usual April weather. Keedy's non-form and Batty's injury have forced Adams' hand to revert to only one spinner although he still seems keen to play two given the opportunity. If it doesn't work (and it hasn't to date), it puts an extra workload and extra pressure for wickets on the seamers.

I hope that goes some way to showing the unsatisfactory environment in which Meaker is having to operate. It is not unique to him but it cannot be good for his own self-confidence. Not only is he being expected to deliver but also make up for the shortfalls of others (Tremlett, de Bruyn, Keedy in different ways) without on pitch guidance from Batty.

Ok, that's interesting and all very well you might say but he should still be bowling better. I do pretty much accept that although I've always considered that it's very hard for a young player (Meaker is now 24 - is that young here?) to excell in a poor team and that is what Surrey are today.

As regards the specifics of his bowling this season from what I've seen, he's tending to overdo too much of the short stuff. This was just naive at Guildford against the strong Barker who contemptuously and continually swatted the ball to the rope. His direction is also leg side more than it should be. I actually wonder if this is a deliberate tactic employed at times by Surrey. I've particularly seen de Bruyn and Linley take a few wickets in this fashion with a leg glance being snaffled by Davies. However, if Meaker is doing it deliberately, it's a big mistake. At Meaker's pace, Davies has no earthly chance of getting across to the ball before it speeds to the boundary as has happened too often this season.

I would also like to see Meaker bowl the yorker more regularly and effectively. If this was a proper part of his armoury, I don't beieve opposition tails would make the sort of large runs they commonly do against Surrey.

I spoke at the Guildford Festival to a couple of cricket journalists I know (although not well) about Meaker. One understood that he was carrying a couple of minor injuries and has been all season which has done nothing for his peace of mind and bowling rhythm. The other suggested Meaker's relationship with Adams (who has once more taken a far more active role with the first team following Smith's return to South Africa) was not as great as it could be.

The bowling coach at Surrey - first engaged in the winter - is Stuart Barnes whom I believe you, Mike, know or know well of. I'm in no position to comment on his work other than there is clearly a lot to do. As far as most supporters are aware, Barnes' work is done behind the scenes whilst Adams is very much the face and voice of the coaching staff (at least at the moment although speculation about that doesn't belong in any detail here).

I can't claim to have fully addressed your Meaker queries as I'm not really sure of the answers myself. However, I hope I've given some food for thought. As I haven't said it earlier, I'll say now that Meaker in form and full flow is a wonderful sight. I really hope he can go on to the highest level.

guildfordbat wrote:

I spoke at the Guildford Festival to a couple of cricket journalists I know (although not well) about Meaker. One understood that he was carrying a couple of minor injuries and has been all season which has done nothing for his peace of mind and bowling rhythm.

From the Surrey website in the last hour previewing the CC match starting tomorrow against Sussex at Arundel:

''Stuart Meaker is unavailable for selection due to a knee injury which will keep him out of action for two weeks.''

Guildford,

Many thanks for the reply.

I think the overlying theme of your post is that for various reasons too much pressure has been placed on Meaker and that partly explains why he has come up short. I can go along with that.

I think a comparison with Mitch Johnson is an interesting one - when Mitch was playing for an Aussie side as back-up to the likes of Clark and Lee he generally did pretty well, with the odd outstanding performance; once he was asked to lead the attack he struggled more.

Perhaps too much is being asked of Meaker similarly. The point about Tremlett is a good one, because ideally Meaker would be the one bowling short sharp spells, but if Tremlett is also, then that's not ideal.

Carrying minor injuries is obviously not helpful - particularly for a young bowler.

Stuart Barnes is a good guy indeed - a good friend of a good friend of mine.

Anyway from a cricket fan's perspective I do hope Meaker regains his form sooner rather than later...

I feel like I should point out that Meaker was still averaging under 30 this season before the Guildford debacle so it's not like he's been awful. When I saw him on Thursday I thought he bowled pretty well, went past the edge a few times and had one go through the slips I think. By all accounts though he was dreadful the previous day.

Just to change the subject, I've just seen a tweet stating Jason Roy scored 127 from 52 balls today. I'm guessing he's playing in the second 11 T20 game(s) that are happening today.

Gentlemen - thanks for your comments on my Meaker post.

Carrot - whilst Meaker hasn't been awful, he hasn't kicked on as we hoped and expected (that expectation for once being a reasonable one in my view). As for his performance at Guildford, he was indeed poor on day one. He definitely improved on the Thursday although I feel he still played too much to Barker's strengths.

Mike - I don't know that much about Mitch Johnson's experiences with Australia, not having followed Test cricket too closely in recent years (something, incidentally, that this forum is changing). However, your comparison and point appears vaild. Also worth flagging, in line with your post, that Tremlett's difficulties adversely impact other bowlers as well as Tremlett.

PS Magnificent innings apparently this week from Roy in a t20 seconds game against Sussex, reduced to 16 overs per side. 127 not out from just 52 balls as Surrey won by a canter. If only that talent can be harnessed. It does not help only playing him sometimes in CC matches and then often either at number one or number seven. Batting as a frontline batsman as low as seven and therefore often with the tail requires different skills in their own right to be properly effective. Maynard was very good there but that's too much digression.

BREAKING: Chris Adams leaves Surrey

wow ian salisbury as well no doubt loverboy is #itk

LOVERBOY wrote:Sometimes I, m wrong but often not.I'd put serious money on Arundel being Grizzler's last stand.The dressing room's almost in open revolt.With half the season gone and a big zero in the wins column, the trap door's gaping.

Umn

Sign of the times and the modern game that a coach is fired midseason. Though more was expected given resources I suspect

And a fond good riddance to him and his little mate.Alec is someone trusted and respected by all and he'll do a good job for the rest of the season.Looking forward to seeing him and KP on Friday.Good luck to Surrey, you deserve better.

And of course you DID hear it here first folks!!

Actually I heard it on fanzone first

Do keep up mate, LOVERBOY told you last week.

Right decision.

Timing not great though.

It would have been preferable for him to have gone months ago - before too many old stagers had signed up for a final payday and before we entered the mess that we are now in.

Given he didn't go earlier, should we have waited until the end of the season? Whilst there's an argument for that, I believe Adams had lost too many people not to go now - supporters, members, committee men, players (according to Loverboy who has been right in much of what he's said was coming).

Ironic that his departure comes after our best CC performance of the season.

Tomorrow is the first anniversary of Maynard's death. However, much - in Chairman Richard Thompson's words -  ''we wish to move on from that'', it continues to haunt the Club and all, like Adams, who were so linked to him.

Well done LOVERBOY!
Can't say I'm surprised, and if I'm honest, I'm pleased
I hope the recruiting 38yo stops and we put a bit of faith in the youngsters - Third Degree and the Baron have been the bright sparks this season
Not sure how temporary the Barnes/Stewart partnership is, but I doubt there will be many complaints from the Surrey posters on this forum about the appointment

bad timing..i am a bit suprised as well.

Richard Gould, Surrey's chief executive, said: "Chris and Ian have worked really hard for the club and we appreciate their endeavours during the past five seasons. The club has decided it is now time to make a change in order to progress further."
-------and there they are,those weasel words I told you all to expect.
No one should touch the bloke with the proverbial  if they,ve any sense.Total disaster.

Word is they'll be looking overseas.

I think it was a decision that had to be made given the events of the past year.

I wouldn't condemn Adams' entire spell as a disaster. His first batch of signings (RHB, Davies, Maynard etc.) seemed to work really well and, whilst not always producing results on the field, the RHB-led team did at least play an exciting brand of cricket and master the 40-over game. They were always likely to be in a relegation battle last season but having stayed up that team might have been able to challenge this year, particularly if you added in a Smith/ Ponting figure.

Of course, everything changed almost exactly a year ago when Maynard died and its really since then that Adams has made a number of errors. In particular, the about turn from one of the youngest sides on the circuit to the oldest was particularly odd given that a number of youngsters, particularly bowlers, had shown promise on their few first XI outings in previous years. Whilst Smith, Ponting and perhaps Solanki can be justified, Keedy certainly can't be in my book.

The other issue, and one which has bugged Surrey for many years now, is the constant fiddling with the XI. Successful sides tend to fiddle less than unsuccessful ones but Adams has been a constant tinkerer - the use of 24 opening pairs a case in point. Some players can't have a clue what their role is with Davies, Roy and Hamilton-Brown shuffling up and down the order with alarming regularity. 

Making this decision now is likely to have a few consequences:

1. Clear the way for future change/ unite the team again
2. Keep Smith on side (Alec Stewart was instrumental in his arrival)

I wouldn't expect much to change immediately - we won't suddenly see Lewis and Keedy ditched. 

In terms of the future I'd imagine somebody who has worked with Smith is quite likely - Corrie van Zyl is one possibility or even Mickey Arthur if he leaves his job with Australia after the Ashes.

Agree with guildford that it's the right decision but some of the damage will last a bit longer. We now have the likes of Lewis and Keedy on the books who can't just be chucked so will have to see out their contracts which, unless they are just not picked, means younger players will continue to be blocked from the 11. 

Having said that, apart from getting Roy into the 11 (something I would make a priority, give him a role and stick to it, help him learn and improve) we don't have any young players waiting in the wings apart from Sibley who is still very young. Bowling is another matter, Edwards and Dunn both deserve a chance at some point if they perform well in the second 11 - hopefully they'll get a chance in the now forlorn YB40 campaign. I would also like to see Jewell again despite being severely unimpressed against Essex he generally does pretty well without being spectacular for the seconds.

We need to be encouraging a young team, like we were a couple of years ago, but with a mix of experience to help them along. This doesn't mean we need 38 year olds, plenty of people in their mid 20's are experienced. If we are going to make signings we should target players like we did with Maynard, Davies, Tremlett and RHB - people who are still young but have played plenty of cricket and showed they have what it takes but maybe need a change of scene.

Interesting to see what Alec Stewart does now.

Well done Loverboy

Agree with many of the points above.  The Adams regime started off quite promisingly, albeit Hyphen signing up was always high risk.  There was a coherence to the signings.  But it veered off course quite badly - insufficient recognition of issues around captain's state of maturity / issues of culture in a section of the club.  And then the dramatic about turn on approach to age - with signing of Lewis and Keedy being particularly inexplicable.  The point Guildford and other have made here and elsewhere about the balance of the squad being wrong is entirely valid.  

I rather think that the dramatic about turn in fortunes of Chris Jordan will not have helped Adams, especially at a time when we are struggling to get a balanced side.

Can't really disagree with anything said above. Only that given how poor our seam attack has been this season, I'm surprised that Barnes escaped the cull. When did we last have a bowler that you thought would run through the top order? Bicknell I suppose.

Barnes in day to day charge of the team.  Interesting to see how we get on considering the rarity of occasions this season when we have got our bowlers functioning effectively as a unit.

Evening Corporal - agree strongly that we haven't performed effectively as a bowling unit this season.  I flagged the main reasons as I saw them in my '"Meaker post" on this thread last week (11 June). Looking back at that, I feel a lot more needs to be laid at Adams' door than Barnes'.

Just back from hols.. and catching up with news on the Surrey front... virtually all the comments above sum up my feelings too.. clearly the Adams era has not been all bad.. the promotion and some 40 over silverware... but we've gone backwards this season big time.... the events from this time last year and those bizarre signings and the general manner of Surrey's performances have been so poor.

As I mentioned a  few weeks ago... if we had a young side, full of promising players but struggling in  Div 1... I'm sure we'd be far more accepting of that... especially if some of these youngsters were being "brought on".... instead we have these "relatively highly paid", "highly experienced end of their career" players that are not benefiting the club in terms of their on pitch performances and blocking the place for some of our younger players...

Given how poor we've been, its amazing that there is still hope, which there is.. that we could avoid relegation... unlikely, but still possible.... I can't help think that the quick return of Batty  is key to our chances... what he achieved last season when he took over was incredible... Could he do it again I wonder?