Surrey news/articles

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Smith was back in this country today - and at Anfield to watch Liverpool beat Man City! That's nice for him. Now, I'm not suggesting he should spend his days off picking up litter in the Lock Stand at the Oval but it is important he starts to deliver for the club paying handsomely for his services.

Agree with all that guildford. Especially good news for him to get a 2 year contract as you say. Really hope it works out for him.

However I can't help but fear that this cold be yet another player release that we come to regret in a few years time.

Yes, I'm also pleased to see Edwards taken on by Lancs. Hope he does well.

Interesting to note that both Stewart Walters and Matthew Spriegel, former Surrey players, have been released by their counties (Glam and Northants) at the end of the 2014 season. Walters seemed to do quite well for a time at Glam before eventually falling away, whereas Spriegel mostly struggled at Northants.

Evening Corporal - Tom Lancefield has also been released by Glamorgan. Understandable as he never made runs for their first team but still a shame as he battled so hard to stay in the game after his release by Surrey and to win a summer contract.

Matthew Spriegal announces his retirement from cricket aged 27.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30036444

Not completely unsurprising but always sad to hear of an early retirement nonetheless. Though his figures aren't particularly flattering (and probably a pretty fair representation) it's easy to forget that he played key roles in our one day sides for several years. The sort of player that would perform almost any role asked, he opened the bowling in one day stuff for a time.

Wish him all the best in the future.

Carlos - you are bang on the money about Sprigs. I also wish him well.

I'm going to adopt Surrey as my major county side for next summer, and as such I apologise for the poor season that lies ahead (tends to happen with my sporting sides )

Olly - unless you make your support retrospective for the last decade we can hardly blame you for any continuing poor form!

Anyway, good to have you on board and look forward to seeing you in July for the game at Guildford - that's compulsory!

Haha a definite aim of mine is to go to a county game next summer, missed not playing/going this year!

Hey I might be the good luck charm!  "Always look on the bright side of life..."

Nick Compton: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30053191  

Looks like he must be on his way back to Middlesex, then. Unless anyone else can think of another County in or near SW London who could use a quality batsman and who are not averse to signing over 30s from other counties?

Compton still a class act, and would score runs at any county

Davies has extended his contract by a year to the end of the 2016 season: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/30114296

Obviously there had been some doubt as to his future, what with the glut of keeper-batsmen at The Oval!

I think 'Interesting' Davies will play exclusively as a batsman next season

thegooch7 wrote:I think 'Interesting' Davies will play exclusively as a batsman next season

Goochie - I'm sure you're right. Someone posted today on the Supporters' Club website that "we have more keepers than London zoo!".

Even with Davies playing as specialist batsmen I do have to question whether Burns will get the chance to take advantage of his keeping skills at any point with Wilson and Foakes also present.

I can't help but feel very uneasy about our squad at the moment. I just feels a bit half finished. Especially in the CC:

1.Burns
2.Ansari
3.Sibley
4.Solanki
5.Davies
6.Roy
7.Wilson or Foakes
8.Batty
9.Curran
10.Dunn
11.Meaker or Tremlett

I still feel we are a strong, reliable top order batsmen short - Compton would be brilliant there.

Kapil could (maybe being optimistic) fill a role as a 4th seamer and solid lower order batsmen if needed.

Linley, Dernbach and Balcombe (ohh how I wish that was Edwards) are good reserve seamers on the face of it. However given Curran and Dunn's young age they will want their workloads managed. Also we have the same old questions of Tremletts fitness and Meaker's fluctuating form. When that is thrown in I'm less confident of taking 20 wickets, and that's not to mention the familiar lack of a match winning spinner.

Goochie - I'm sure you're right. Someone posted today on the Supporters' Club website that "we have more keepers than London zoo!". [/quote]

hehe - good one Guildford!

king_carlos wrote:Even with Davies playing as specialist batsmen I do have to question whether Burns will get the chance to take advantage of his keeping skills at any point with Wilson and Foakes also present.

I can't help but feel very uneasy about our squad at the moment. I just feels a bit half finished. Especially in the CC:

1.Burns
2.Ansari
3.Sibley
4.Solanki
5.Davies
6.Roy
7.Wilson or Foakes
8.Batty
9.Curran
10.Dunn
11.Meaker or Tremlett

I still feel we are a strong, reliable top order batsmen short - Compton would be brilliant there.

Kapil could (maybe being optimistic) fill a role as a 4th seamer and solid lower order batsmen if needed.

Linley, Dernbach and Balcombe (ohh how I wish that was Edwards) are good reserve seamers on the face of it. However given Curran and Dunn's young age they will want their workloads managed. Also we have the same old questions of Tremletts fitness and Meaker's fluctuating form. When that is thrown in I'm less confident of taking 20 wickets, and that's not to mention the familiar lack of a match winning spinner.

I think Compton's going to Middlesex
Got to find room for our overseas player Carlos
I was hoping Kapil was going to be an 'all rounder' next season
Although Norah did quite well bowling last season, we desperately need a 'quality' spinner, Is Ojha available?!!!

More questions over the team than answers at the moment!

We really need to get the overseas player and the captaincy sorted - despite my wishes, the two may very well be connected. I would prefer Wilson to continue leading the side - thought he did a decent job last season after getting it unexpectedly and in difficult circumstances with Smith dropping out and at the same time Davies deciding he was unable to keep any more. Doubt that will happen though, looks more likely that Wilson will be in competition for a place behind the stumps with Foakes and, if he loses that, then with the other batsmen.

Ah well, we'll see. New season getting a bit nearer - I believe all the domestic fixtures are to be issued this coming Thursday morning. Make sure you get the Guildford game in your diary, Olly - plus anyone else who fancies coming along with me, the Corporal and Chichester!

guildfordbat wrote:

... I believe all the domestic fixtures are to be issued this coming Thursday morning ...

That's now been confirmed by the Club.

In view of this morning's sad news, announcement of all domestic fixtures for next season has been postponed until tomorrow. The Club has sent condolences to the Hughes family.

king_carlos wrote:Even with Davies playing as specialist batsmen I do have to question whether Burns will get the chance to take advantage of his keeping skills at any point with Wilson and Foakes also present.......

I assume that Surrey probably don't envisage Burns doing much more keeping in future.

What's all this about Sangakkara folks?

Olly - Surrey have apparently been pursuing Sangakkara for some weeks and now seem close to getting their man.

With Sanga expected to very shortly retire from the international game, a few similarities on the surface with Smith's signing which turned out to be hugely disappointing. Hope Surrey's due diligence has been a lot better this time.

Although I hope it doesn't happen, Sanga may also get the Surrey captaincy. That would explain why the Club have so far said nothing about the captaincy in 2015 and, in particular, made no reference to Wilson keeping that role. I would like Wilson to continue as skipper - he got the job in difficult and unexpected circumstances when Smith bailed and made a pretty decent fist of it. He's also been around for several years and knows the Club well. You don't get that understanding just by lavishing money on an international star. To say nothing about genuine commitment.

One further point. Sanga's signing could well reduce the chances of Pietersen being re-signed and playing for Surrey next season. Couple of reasons. Firstly, Sanga will obviously and considerably boost the batting (I don't expect him to keep - Wilson will be battling Foakes for that position) which lessens the need for Pietersen. Secondly, and more to the point, Sanga won't come cheap. We may not be able to squeeze both him and Pietersen in under the salary cap.

If things aren't announced in the next week, I would mention that there's a Surrey members' forum at the Oval on Monday week (15 December) being fronted by CEO Richard Gould and Alec Stewart. This is bound to be high on the agenda then with Stewart giving an update. I like Stewart - unless there are contractual reasons preventing discussion, he's normally happy to give you an answer straight and openly without worrying too much if it's the answer you want.

Why do we go for these end of their career 'name' signings?!
I don't want him, I don't want KP either. We need to show faith with our younger players!

sangakrra is a class act...his age isn't affecting his form, if anything he's getting better!!

Freemo - if he's not worried about age affecting his form, why is he on the verge of quitting international cricket?

You can't moan about signing a player of Sangakkara's class and skill. You saw this past summer how good he still is

Olly - as you're now an official Surrey fan, you should know that we can moan about anything and do!

Slightly more seriously, as well as class and skill we want commitment from our experienced signings. Ponting gave us that in bucketloads. Others haven't which leaves cynicism in the air.

That's true but everything I've seen of Sangakkara he is a proper pro and I guess in difference to Smith, his body seems to be holding up fine too (cursed him)

I can't be dealing with the moaning, I shall bring the positive air back t the Surrey faithful #promotion

As Guildford points out, we've had our fingers burned in the past, and forgive the cynicism but we need to know he's not just coming here for the bright lights of London!
I take it Sanga would be a Kolpak (can I still use that term?!) so wouldn't affect our overseas signing?!

Hi Goochie - according to some latest reports (espn cricinfo in particular), Sanga is deliberating as to whether to continue playing Tests, albeit possibly not all series. Obviously, if he does still sign for us but continues in any way as a Test player that'll blow out of the water any chance of him being a Kolpak.

I'm also pretty sure a period of time needs to be served by a player who quits internationals before he attains Kolpak status.

Btw, I know Olly (in a cyber way) through the general football and cricket threads here. He's a good chap but you need to appreciate he's under 45 and from Norwich.

I'd imagine Surrey will only want him if he does retire from test cricket, otherwise we'll barely have him at all next summer as I'm sure I saw somewhere Sri Lanka have a test series next summer our time

Olly - there's a small article in tonight's London Evening Standard which doesn't go into the details of Sri Lanka's test schedule next year but expresses the same concern as you.

I read on cricinfo a couple of days ago that Sri Lanka were expected to to have a 2 match test series against India in June and a 3 match test series against Pakistan in August. I'm not sure if both series have yet been officially confirmed.

PS A good dead bat from you on my ''Btw'' to Goochie.

Haha I'll always play with the dead bat if I can!

I'm actually considering coming to the game at Guildford (whenever that is next season). Haven't been to a professional 4 day game before (barring Norfolk)

Surrey members' forum meeting tonight, chaired by Richard (son of Bobby) Gould with Alec Stewart, Jade Dernbach and Rory Burns in attendance.

Key points for me as remembered:

* Talks are continuing with Sangakkara to determine his availability and, if only partial, how much. We clearly want him a great deal but not if his appearances will be too limited. May still take weeks rather than days to be resolved and a decision one way or the other made.

* If Pietersen wants to rejoin Surrey, he needs to approach the Club and confirm his availability and expectations (it's anticipated this will happen). The Club will then consider whether that suits their plans. Stewart said his playing this season in the Caribbean ''didn't work [for Surrey]'' and that wouldn't be acceptable in 2015. The general tone was less supportive of Pietersen than at previous meetings. Stewart made a mocking reference to Pietersen's book - ''I read it and coloured it in for him''.

* Stewart wouldn't be drawn on the captaincy. He appeared to say it wouldn't be Sangakkara even if we do sign him (although I didn't find that comment particularly clear). I got the impression it would no longer be Wilson as he would not be an automatic pick in the new season (my impression, not Stewart's words). Stewart did emphasise that he wanted competition for all places; I made the point to him that that was the way it should be although we needed stability as regards the captaincy. He in turn strongly agreed with that but didn't go on to give us a name. In covering another question (about Ansari not having a full role in T20 games), Stewart was highly complimentary about Ansari which got me wondering.

* I also put to Stewart that competition for the keeper's gloves would be between Wilson and Foakes, with Davies now being an ex-keeper. Stewart wasn't having that last bit. He reiterated stuff about Davies giving up keeping last season as it was adversely affecting his batting but refused to rule him out being back behind the stumps (although he didn't confirm it would happen).

* There will be no overseas pre-season tour. A large marque will be put up over a part of the Oval outfield so our players can prepare for the start of a cold English season in cold English conditions (I know Gus Fraser has previously arranged similar for Middlesex).

* Sincere and heartfelt comments made about the death of Phil Hughes and the way in which ''the cricket community had come together''.

* Recognition that the team had improved last season but that something more tangible now had to be delivered. Promotion remains the top priority. When asked how this would be achieved, Rory Burns - looking and sounding more and more like the Artful Dodger as the meeting went on - said, ''Score more runs and take more wickets''. It was acknowledged he had a valid point and that we sometimes over complicate things too much.

* Dernbach spoke well and humbly, emphasising his own need and desire to deliver more. He was very different here to how he often appears on the pitch and how in the past ... well, let's not go there. The biggest applause he got though was for something he didn't say. Someone asked what England needed to do to win the World Cup. Stewart said he would let Jade answer that and handed him the mic. Dernbach held the mic in silence for about ten seconds, looked down, shook his head and handed the mic back to Stewart.

Other comments made by Stewart about the World Cup on that thread.

Bold prediction - Zafar Ansari will have made an international appearance before 2015 is over

Guildford - thanks for that most interesting report - written in the small hours!  It would be a bold appointment for Surrey to give the captaincy to Ansari when he was only just 23 - but maybe not out of the question. He certainly seems vastly more mature than RHB was at that age....  

Like your comments re Rory Burns. I rate him highly as a batsman - but am not a fan of his facial hair!  

Bit mean of Alec to give the mike to Dernbach to talk about prospects for the world cup!

Sounds absolutely right that KP should only come back to Surrey if the terms and circumstances are right for the club.  

Olly does your Ansari prediction cover England first team only, rather than also include Lions?  If so, that is indeed a bold prediction.  Maybe Cook will fall on his sword and Ansari be parachuted in as captain!

Thanks for that Guildford, very interesting reading indeed!
Lots to ponder in the coming months...............and lots of decisions to be made. Difficult to say who will be automatic choices for a place, so in turn, the captaincy is still up in the air, although these days, it's captaincy by numbers anyway! Ansari would be a good choice given his level headedness..........but is he a established enough to take on the role?
I've made my feelings known on KP and Sanga!
Wicket keeper situation is another conundrum - I doubt Foakes has joined to play 2nd team cricket, Davies is the best batsman of the 3 (4 if Sanga comes, although I think his place will be a given and I doubt he'll want to keep anyway at 37)
I still think that promotion will only be achieved with a top class spinner..........no offence Norah!

Not entirely on topic, but liked text commentary on the last Sri Lanka v England match. It was suggested that Sangakkara takes the bails off more frequently than any wicketkeeper since Corporal Jones (in the Home Guards match in which Fred Trueman played)!

Olly wrote:Bold prediction - Zafar Ansari will have made an international appearance before 2015 is over

to be honest i doubt it.... Moeen is the spinner, and can't see England picking him purely on batting..

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Guildford - thanks for that most interesting report - written in the small hours!  It would be a bold appointment for Surrey to give the captaincy to Ansari when he was only just 23 - but maybe not out of the question. He certainly seems vastly more mature than RHB was at that age....  

Like your comments re Rory Burns. I rate him highly as a batsman - but am not a fan of his facial hair!  

Bit mean of Alec to give the mike to Dernbach to talk about prospects for the world cup!

Sounds absolutely right that KP should only come back to Surrey if the terms and circumstances are right for the club.  

Olly does your Ansari prediction cover England first team only, rather than also include Lions?  If so, that is indeed a bold prediction.  Maybe Cook will fall on his sword and Ansari be parachuted in as captain!

First team corporal! #ansariforengland

Surrey received good reports about Ansari from his recent time on the England Performance Programme.

If he maintains form, he must be in with a decent chance of an England Lions call up in 2015. He'll need to impose himself more to go beyond that. Difficult but not impossible. His intelligence and maturity will certainly help him along the way.

Dunn and Roy respectively named in the England Lions Four Day and One Day Squads to tour South Africa in the New Year.

Not surprised Roy didn't make the seniors' World Cup squad but still a bit disappointed. He might just have made such a difference.

Dunn has really demonstrated his progress in getting a Lions call up although may struggle to get a game on that short tour. By my reckoning, he's one of six seamers / speedsters in the 15 man squad.

However, no place in either squad for Ansari. Slightly surprised given the vibes picked up at this week's forum meeting. Doesn't blow Olly's prediction out of the water but lengthens the odds ....

I would have thought the chances of our signing Sangakkara have lessened with his brilliant double century in the current Test against New Zealand. As well as coming under further intense pressure not to quit Tests yet from Sri Lanka selectors, team mates and supporters, he'll surely believe that he can continue for at least a bit longer at the very top level of the game.

Meanwhile, Alviro Petersen, whose Somerset contract expired at the end of last season, has today announced his retirement from international cricket. I'm sure that will be on Alec Stewart's radar although Lancs are reportedly the favourites to sign him ....

No Sanga no party

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant comment from my man Spiller (friend and local cricket journalist Richard Spiller) in today's Surrey Advertiser about Sangakkara -
''The left-hander's 203 against New Zealand in Wellington this week was his 11th double-century in Test cricket, leaving him just one short of Sir Donald Bradman, and might have been greeted with more enthusiasm in Kandy than Kennington.''

In his brief article, Spills comments upon the pressure that Sangakkara is coming under to carry on his Test career and adds that Surrey expect to know if they have got their man in the next ten days.

Sanga baby!

Olly wrote:Sanga baby!

Yes, Surrey have finally got their man and Olly's long wait to use that heading is over.

Kumar Sangakkara has signed a two-year contract with Surrey. The exact details of his availability for next season are expected to be sorted out in the next month - that's not ideal but probably realistic given Sri Lanka's huge reluctance to see the player leave the Test scene and Surrey's desire to ensure he's at the Oval for at least part of 2015. Alec Stewart has used the word ''significant'' in referring to the amount of time that Sangakkara should be available for Surrey.

It also needs to be recognised that signing an overseas player is now far more complex than in the past and that availability will nearly always be restricted, especially in view of the wide ranging international calendar and the various lucrative t20 tournaments across the world.

As always, the proof of the pudding will be in the eating but I do feel we should be encouraged at this stage. I get the impression that Sangakkara, as well as being a world class batsman, is a decent individual who wants to make a genuine contribution at the Oval.

Sangakkara should be an excellent signing.   Let's hope we get a good chunk of his time this summer.

So as the casual fan I currently am, what ins and outs have occurred since the end of last season at the oval folks

Hi Olly

Off the top of my head -

Ins: Kumar Sangakkara, Ben Foakes (young keeper from Essex), Dave Balcombe (seamer from Hants who was once on the Surrey Academy), James Burke (young all rounder from Somerset and a student of nuclear physics).

Outs: George Edwards (paceman to Lancs on a 2 yr contract having been released), Tom Jewell (all-rounder released), Jack Winslade (seamer released), Kevin Pietersen (released although talks about his possible re-signing are anticipated).

Surrey are holding a members' forum tomorrow night at Guildford - to their credit, they're going out on the road a bit and talking to members at places in addition to the Oval. I'll be at that and let you know any developments. Still a lot to be sorted out and announced - not least, the captaincy, the wicket keeper (although don't expect a definite decision on that until the start of the season), Sanga's availability and Pietersen.