Surrey CCC 2016 summer discussion thread

[king_carlos]

First topic message reminder :

Club captain: Gareth Batty

First team squad for 2016 summer

Batsmen: Rory Burns, Arun Harinath, Dominic Sibley, Kumar Sangakarra (overseas), Aaron Finch (cover for Sangakarra during CPL)

Wicket-keepers: Ben Foakes, Gary Wilson, Steve Davies

All-rounders: Zafar Ansari, James Burke, Aneesh Kapil, Azhar Mahmood (British passport - T20 only), Dwayne Bravo (T20 only), Chris Morris (cover for Dwayne Bravo during CPl - T20 only)

Seamers: Tom Curran, Sam Curran, Jade Dernbach, Matt Dunn, Mark Footitt, Stuart Meaker, Connor McKerr (UK passport), Matthew Philans (UK Passport), Ravi Rampaul (Kolpak)

Spinners: Gareth Batty, Freddie van den Bergh

CC division 1 fixtures

Sunday April 10 - Nottinghamshire - Trent Bridge
Sunday April 24 - Somerset - The Oval
Sunday May 1 - Durham - The Oval
Sunday May 8 - Yorkshire - Headingley
Sunday May 15 - Middlesex - The Oval
Sunday May 22 - Lancashire - Old Trafford
Saturday May 28 - Somerset - The County Ground, Taunton
Sunday June 19 - Nottinghamshire - The Oval
Saturday July 2 - Warwickshire - Guildford CC
Monday July 11 - Yorkshire - The Oval
Sunday July 17 - Hampshire - The Ageas Bowl
Thursday August 4 - Middlesex - Lord's Cricket Ground
Saturday August 13 - Warwickshire - Edgbaston
Tuesday August 23 - Lancashire - The Oval
Tuesday September 6 - Hampshire - The Oval
Monday September 12 - Durham - Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street

T20 Blast fixtures

Friday May 20 - Essex - Chelmsford
Thursday May 26 - Glamorgan - The Oval
Friday June 3 - Sussex - The County Cricket Ground, Hove
Thursday June 9 - Hampshire - The Oval
Friday June 10 - Somerset - The County Ground, Taunton
Friday June 17 - Middlesex - The Oval
Friday June 24 - Glamorgan - Sophia Gardens
Saturday June 25 - Essex - The Oval
Wednesday July 6 - Gloucestershire - Nevil Road
Friday July 8 - Somerset - The Oval
Friday July 15 - Kent - The Nevill Ground
Thursday July 21 - Middlesex - Lord's Cricket Ground
Friday July 22 - Sussex - The Oval
Friday July 29 - Kent - The Oval

Royal London One Day Cup Fixtures

Sunday June 5 - Kent - Beckenham, Worsley Bridge Road
Wednesday June 8 - Somerset - The Oval
Tuesday June 14 - Sussex - Guildford CC
Wednesday June 15 - Hampshire - The Ageas Bowl
Sunday July 24 - Essex - Chelmsford
Wednesday July 27 - Gloucestershire - The Oval
Monday August 1 - Glamorgan - The Oval
Tuesday August 2 - Middlesex - Lord's Cricket Ground

Departures from 2015: Tim Linley (RET), Vikram Solanki (RET - now 2nd XI captain), Kevin Pietersen (has announced he won't be playing county cricket in 2016), David Balcombe (RET)

Arrivals for 2016: Mark Footitt (Derbyshire), Conor McKerr (UK passport), Mathew Philans (UK passport), Ravi Rampaul (KPK), Aaron Finch (cover for Sangakarra during CPL), Dwayne Bravo (T20 only), Chris Morris (cover for Bravo during CPL - T20 only)

The other big news to report is of course the departure of former head coach Graham Ford to return to the Sri Lanka set-up as head coach with Michael Di Venuto, the long time Durham batsmen and more recently Australia batting coach, coming in as his replacement.

Director of Cricket: Alec Stewart
Head coach: Michael Di Venuto

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Think I'll be making my Surrey viewing debut this season - thinking the home Hampshire game in the county championship looks likely...all four days if I can! Anybody have any good cheap hotel tips for nearby?

[jimbobgooner]

Think I'll be making my Surrey viewing debut this season - thinking the home Hampshire game in the county championship looks likely...all four days if I can! Anybody have any good cheap hotel tips for nearby?

Have you tried the vauxhall tavern Olly

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Think I'll be making my Surrey viewing debut this season - thinking the home Hampshire game in the county championship looks likely...all four days if I can! Anybody have any good cheap hotel tips for nearby?

Have you tried the vauxhall tavern Olly

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Think I'll be making my Surrey viewing debut this season - thinking the home Hampshire game in the county championship looks likely...all four days if I can! Anybody have any good cheap hotel tips for nearby?

Have you tried the vauxhall tavern Olly

I'll be frequenting there on the Friday night as always Jimbo

[guildfordbat]

Olly - assuming you won't want to spend all your time at the Vauxhall Tavern , I'll make enquiries when the season starts. I don't think the pubs near the ground offer accommodation but I'll check; if available, they'll be better value than London hotels. I'll see you ok for a couple of tickets anyway.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Olly - assuming you won't want to spend all your time at the Vauxhall Tavern , I'll make enquiries when the season starts. I don't think the pubs near the ground offer accommodation but I'll check; if available, they'll be better value than London hotels. I'll see you ok for a couple of tickets anyway.

[guildfordbat]

Squad should be named this afternoon for the 3 day friendly away to Sussex starting tomorrow; a day later than originally planned, sensibly put back due to bad weather expected today.

Probably a 13 or 14 man squad with all being allowed to play some part. Not expecting any real surprises although it might be interesting to see who's not back yet and whether Ansari is (fully) fit to play.

[guildfordbat]

Things surprisingly quiet on the Surrey website, perhaps supporting JimBob's thoughts about Churchy having come to a sticky end! Can't really believe that - maybe he's being interviewed for the Arsenal job.

Anyway, the Sussex website refers to the format of the game being ''flexible'' with all sixteen of their available squad expected to play some part. That includes Laurie Evans, signed from Warks and before that with Surrey.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Just tweeted the club Twitter about church - he'll be returning to the airwaves on bbc London on April 7th

[jimbobgooner]

Things surprisingly quiet on the Surrey website, perhaps supporting JimBob's thoughts about Churchy having come to a sticky end! Can't really believe that - maybe he's being interviewed for the Arsenal job.


Anyway, the Sussex website refers to the format of the game being ''flexible'' with all sixteen of their available squad expected to play some part. That includes Laurie Evans, signed from Warks and before that with Surrey.

[James100]

Just tweeted the club Twitter about church - he'll be returning to the airwaves on bbc London on April 7th

[guildfordbat]

Good challenge coming up for Burns and Stoneman.

Start of play brought forward half an hour to 10:30. Add that to the cold and windy conditions plus the seaside setting and it's going to be tough work for Surrey's batsmen who resume on 49/0. Sussex mafe 241/5 declared yesterday, a couple of wickets for Foottit and one each for Borthwick, Dunn and Rampaul.

[jimbobgooner]

Churchy as Olly said returning to the airwaves but as feared has left twitter

[guildfordbat]

If Churchy has left twitter, I would guess he won't be doing interviews etc. He was never penetrating in his questions but it was still useful to hear what the players and, particularly, Stewart had to say.

JimBob / Olly - do you know any more? Cheers.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Don't know anymore sorry Guildford

Both new boys stoneman and borthwick make half centuries

[James100]

If Sibley and Harinath are in competition for the number 5 slot, Sibley has definitely made the better impression so far. 78* at tea to Harinath's 17.

That's assuming we don't play seven bowlers.

[guildfordbat]

Don't know anymore sorry Guildford

Both new boys stoneman and borthwick make half centuries

Thanks anyway, Olly.

Whilst Churchy can come across as drippy, he's always worked bl**dy hard and done a lot behind the scenes. Suspect he'll be missed a lot if he's only doing comms from now on.

Meanwhile, the Sussex website provides silent and very selective (I hope!) highlights of day one. Essentially home batsmen whacking fours and sixes! I'll be as kind as I can to Borthwick from what's shown and suggest it wasn't a day for leg spin!

[guildfordbat]

If Sibley and Harinath are in competition for the number 5 slot, Sibley has definitely made the better impression so far. 78* at tea to Harinath's 17.

That's assuming we don't play seven bowlers.

Hi James - think you're right about Sibley and Harinath being in a shoot out for the last batting place come the first CC match.

Still going to be tricky getting it down to eleven. Particularly if Ansari returns and we also persist in playing Batty.

[James100]

Guildford - early season, I'd certainly be leaving one of the spinners out and playing four seamers (Footit, Meaker, TC and SC). Hard to tell what Stewart et al. will go for though. If Tom Curran goes to Ireland to play ODIs—pretty likely I imagine—then maybe the second spinner gets in, but if the pitch isn't going to take spin, I'd still rather Rampaul.

[guildfordbat]

James - I totally share your view. Just not convinced that's what will happen.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well judging by the batting line up today we could be playing Batty as a specialist bat....!!!

[jimbobgooner]

If Churchy has left twitter, I would guess he won't be doing interviews etc. He was never penetrating in his questions but it was still useful to hear what the players and, particularly, Stewart had to say.

JimBob / Olly - do you know any more? Cheers.

The club say that the twitter account will be run by a mix of other fine types

[guildfordbat]

If Churchy has left twitter, I would guess he won't be doing interviews etc. He was never penetrating in his questions but it was still useful to hear what the players and, particularly, Stewart had to say.

JimBob / Olly - do you know any more? Cheers.

The club say that the twitter account will be run by a mix of other fine types  

Thanks, JimBob. Good job I'm not a cynic - otherwise, I would think it's being done on the hoof!

[guildfordbat]

12 man squad named for the 3 day game starting tomorrow away to Oxford MCCU.

Ansari and Sam Curran return with, no great surprise, Dunn and Virdi standing down from the 13 who were on duty at Hove. Harinath also misses out, possibly expected after Sibley came out on top in their seaside duel (as James effectively put it) although still seems a bit tough.

Far more difficult to predict who'll be on drinks duty. As this match is accorded first-class status, there's no way that all 12 can play.

With the likes of Tom Curran, Sanga and Foakes expected to be back for the CC opener at the end of next week, individual performances against the students will be important.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

12 man squad named for the 3 day game starting tomorrow away to Oxford MCCU.

Ansari and Sam Curran return with, no great surprise, Dunn and Virdi standing down from the 13 who were on duty at Hove.

Far more difficult to predict who'll be on drinks duty. As this match is accorded first-class status, there's no way that all 12 can play.

With the likes of Tom Curran, Sanga and Foakes expected to be back for the CC opener at the end of next week, individual performances against the students will be important.

The Baron/Sibley battle is a good one to watch - for all Sibley's good work in the 1st innings at Hove...he got a blob second time round

[guildfordbat]

Olly - I had just noticed that the Baron didn't make the 12 for Oxford and was editing my last post when you sent your's.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Olly - I had just noticed that the Baron didn't make the 12 for Oxford and was editing my last post when you sent your's.

He didn't make the 12? Well I guess that battle goes to Sibley...presuming he puts in a passable performance here. Sibley in the team, alongside Borthwick and presumably Ansari (if fit)...surely there can be no room/need for Batty in our season opening XI?

[James100]

Interesting that Harinath's not getting another go, though I guess the opening is at number 5/6, which Sibley would seem more suited to.

Should be interesting to see what happens with the captaincy for this match. If they're considering dropping Batty, Burns could captain a session or two.

[guildfordbat]

I've asked about Churchy on the Supporters' Club website. Apparently, he gave up his twitter role at the end of 2016 and was thanked for all his work at the end of season awards although no announcement was ever put out. How much (if anything) beyond radio comms he'll now be doing for Surrey seems unknown (at least to supporters).

For those of you who tweet, you can get him on @backandacross.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Century for Sibley today, with various other batsmen (including Pope) getting reasonable time at the crease without making a big score.

[guildfordbat]

Century for Sibley today, with various other batsmen (including Pope) getting reasonable time at the crease without making a big score.

The one who seems to regularly contribute but not properly go on is Burns. Scores to date in 2017 of 47, 47 and 37 which corresponds with my perception of how he's done the last couple of years. Not slating him for that but he does need more big scores if his career is to advance to the next stage. It would obviously help Surrey as well.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Century for Sibley today, with various other batsmen (including Pope) getting reasonable time at the crease without making a big score.

The one who seems to regularly contribute but not properly go on is Burns. Scores to date in 2017 of 47, 47 and 37 which corresponds with my perception of how he's done the last couple of years. Not slating him for that but he does need more big scores if his career is to advance to the next stage. It would obviously help Surrey as well.

I don't mind this too much in warm up games - shows he's in decent nick before the season starts, where hopefully he can kick on...! We're gonna need a Vatican based nickname for Mr pope also....

[guildfordbat]

Students 25/1. Dernbach with figures of 7-5-6-1. He was the most successful of the Surrey bowlers at Hove and could be in contention for a place in the CC opener next week.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Century for Sibley today, with various other batsmen (including Pope) getting reasonable time at the crease without making a big score.

The one who seems to regularly contribute but not properly go on is Burns. Scores to date in 2017 of 47, 47 and 37 which corresponds with my perception of how he's done the last couple of years. Not slating him for that but he does need more big scores if his career is to advance to the next stage. It would obviously help Surrey as well.

Burns imo has become a good county opener. I can't honestly see him going on to play for England. But it would be excellent if he could maintain his first class average of at least 40 - and maybe even increase it by a few.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Meaker get his first wicket. 50/2.

[guildfordbat]

50 overs up and Batty hasn't bowled. Don't have much of a problem with that today against a MCCU side but will be fuming if that's how things are in the opening CC matches.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

After some middle order resistance, the last few Oxford wickets fall in a clatter - all out 172.  Footitt ends up with 4 wickets for hardly any runs. Ansari among those having a bowl. Borthwick had one over near the end in which he took a wicket. Overall, a useful workout for the bowlers.

[guildfordbat]

Yep, a good workout today for the bowlers as the Corporal says. Bar Batty anyway.

Assuming the weather holds, I would guess we'll bat until about tea tomorrow and then have a go with the ball in the last session before shaking hands on the draw. Preparation for the CC opener being regarded as more important than a win here.

Assuming Tom Curran is back next week, might be worth noting how Dernbach and Meaker do tomorrow - they could be in a shoot out for the last CC spot.

Still not sure who'll make way for Sanga. I understand why James has his money on Batty but I suspect Stewie's decision might prevent any payout.

[guildfordbat]

Surrey making heavy weather of it this morning. 53/3 off 24 overs. Impressive return for one of the students, Alex Wilkinson (nope, never heard of him either!), of 1/10 from 10 overs.

Burns gone for 28 - say no more on that for now.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Sibley top scored and was not out in Surrey second innings as well as first. Should set him up well for start of season. Batty got a short bowl in the Oxford second innings, claiming a couple of wickets.  Sam Curran could do with a few runs - out cheaply in both innings.

[guildfordbat]

Planning to go along on Friday. Always particularly like to see the first day of the Championship season. Weather forecast seems reasonable - your satellites agree, Corporal?

Assuming all stay fit for selection, it could be a shootout for the last place between Batty and Ansari.

[guildfordbat]

Found out today that new floodlights are being installed at the Oval but they won't be working for the first two CC matches. Not happy about that - considerably increases the likelihood of stoppages due to bad light. Think our CC opening match a couple of years ago was played entirely with the lights on.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Sounds like a bit of an own goal there, Guildford?  Forecast doesn't look too bad - but rather cloudy.. 

[guildfordbat]

Sounds like a bit of an own goal there, Guildford?  Forecast doesn't look too bad - but rather cloudy.. 

Hi Corporal - yep, I would have thought so. I'm not sure what the score was with the old lights (perhaps they had to be changed) but to not have the new ones ready now is a concern. Besides lessening the chances of a positive result, there's hardly anything more frustrating for spectators than bad light stopping play.

Thanks as well for the weather update.

Btw, no Baron in the squad photo taken today - don't know why.

[jimbobgooner]

Match thread for the Warwickshire game up tomorrow afternoon chaps

[guildfordbat]

Match thread for the Warwickshire game up tomorrow afternoon chaps

Good work, JimBob. I'm sure the Corporal's cheque is in the post.

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Match thread for the Warwickshire game up tomorrow afternoon chaps

Good work, JimBob. I'm sure the Corporal's cheque is in the post.

*Makes a note on Guildford's bar tab* 

Look forward to that Jimbob!

[guildfordbat]

Match thread for the Warwickshire game up tomorrow afternoon chaps

Good work, JimBob. I'm sure the Corporal's cheque is in the post.

*Makes a note on Guildford's bar tab* 

Look forward to that Jimbob!

[guildfordbat]

Runs galore for the seconds in their 3 day friendly away to Sussex - and our XI was overflowing with bowlers! Tons for the Baron and former Academy all-rounder Ryan Patel plus half-centuries from the Pope and Burger Van. We stacked up 380/3 and 2 of the wickets were the centurions retiring out!

[Corporalhumblebucket]

Matt Dunn on comeback trail - 4 overs for 43 so far this morning!

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