Surrey CCC 2019 Discussion Thread

[SimonofSurrey]

First topic message reminder :

After over 10000 views and 310+ articles spread over seven pages (which you have to scroll thro one by one on an i-phone) I've decided it's time we moved  on from the 2016 thread to this year. Here we go...

Cheers all,

Simon

[thegooch7]

R.I.P. Bob Willis

[jimbobgooner]

R.I.P. Bob Willis

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Stuart Meaker leaves Surrey for Sussex - Alec Stewart allowed him to be released from his contract a year early to pursue more first team cricket opportunities elsewhere.

What a shame injury deprived him of becoming what he could have been at one point. A good guy

[guildfordbat]

I knew we were prepared to let Meaks go early but didn't know of Sussex's interest. Should be a decent opportunity and he's done well to get what is headlined (without any further details in the article) on the Surrey website as ''an initial two-year contract''.

Best of luck to him. Before injuries and increased competition for seamers' places, he put in some hard yards for us and took some important wickets.  As Olly says, he's one of the good guys.

[James100]

Yep, good luck to Meaker. Been unfortunate with injuries and often hasn't been trusted by his captains as much as he maybe should have been. Around 2011/2012ish there was a point where it looked like he could have a good Test career until he hit another round of injuries.

Hope he stays fit and does well at Sussex over the next few years.

[jimbobgooner]

with meaker going I really do fear the worse for us in the 50 overs competition

[king_carlos]

https://www.sporcle.com/games/stulaw78/surrey-county-cricket-club-opening-day-lineups?t=surrey

With many of us needing to occupy some spare time it seems like as good a time as any for this to do the rounds again!

210 for myself. There were a few I missed that drove me crazy upon reading them. I won't name them so others can have a go but largely players who I instinctively associate with other counties but who played for Surrey either early or late on in their careers.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Only 159 for myself here - somehow missed two from the starting XI in 2019 shamefully!!! Some real "d'oh" misses in there

[king_carlos]

Only 159 for myself here - somehow missed two from the starting XI in 2019 shamefully!!! Some real "d'oh" misses in there

The nature of wracking my brain for names that didn't pop straight up meant I got a few from back in the day that I was pleased with. Several for instance from thinking back to the first T20 finals day that I went to.

I did however miss a few recent ones through complete brain farts. I got the 2018 line-up but missed one from 2019 as well!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Some Surrey news...head coach Michael Di Venuto won’t be returning to the club with his contract expiring in 2021.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Vikram Solanki expected to be announced as new Surrey head coach

[guildfordbat]

Vikram Solanki expected to be announced as new Surrey head coach

Now confirmed.

No guarantee of success of course but he ticks a lot of the boxes. Have chatted to him a couple of times at the Oval. A thoroughly decent and intelligent guy.

[guildfordbat]

Hi fellow Surrey fans ands sufferers - it's been a long time with no county cricket and we're not properly back yet but we do have a 2 day friendly against Middlesex coming up at the Oval on Sunday and Monday. I hope to get along - it's one of those events that the Government (don't get me started!) are trialling with spectators.

Hoping JimBob can set up a thread. Surrey batting Sunday, bowling Monday itk.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Hope you enjoy Guildford - stay safe! Look forward to your report from the ground...any hints as to an XI?

[jimbobgooner]

Hi fellow Surrey fans ands sufferers - it's been a long time with no county cricket and we're not properly back yet but we do have a 2 day friendly against Middlesex coming up at the Oval on Sunday and Monday. I hope to get along - it's one of those events that the Government (don't get me started!) are trialling with spectators.

Hoping JimBob can set up a thread. Surrey batting Sunday, bowling Monday itk.  

will do guildford if i can remember

[guildfordbat]

Cheers, Olly. I've just managed to get a ticket for Sunday. Normally this is the sort of game where you might have a crowd of five or six dozen but cricket starved Surrey supporters are currently jamming the phonelines to get entry! Tickets only available to members and free but only obtainable via phone and limited to one of the two days. Haven't given up hope yet of making the Monday!

No news on the Surrey team although I do wonder if it might be one of those 14 or 15 a side games albeit just 11 batting and fielding.

Thanks, JimBob. Guess the cricket season can't replace the football season quick enough for you and Olly!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

As far as I am aware Guildford, football hasn't returned in Norfolk yet...

[king_carlos]

Will the players from England's 'biosecure' training squads who aren't time in the middle be released I wonder? It would be great for Foakes to get some time in the middle to push his case.

From a Surrey perspective there is a lot of talent in those big training squads though. Burns, Pope, Pitt the Even Younger Still, Foakes and Virdi in the Test squad. Then Roy and Pitt the Younger for the one day stuff.

I also wonder if all of Amla, Morkel, McKerr and new man Moriarty are in the UK given covid. I'm sure those of you who follow the club will tell me they are as they will have been photographed at the Oval training!

Interesting times ahead. There's a lot of talented youngsters in the Surrey squad. With the England players missing I do feel the side might have a bit of a vacuum between the talented youngsters and the experienced older hands in their late thirties. With a lot of talent missing for England games there is only really Borthwick and Clark in that middle ground between early twenties and later thirties. Hopefully Matt Dunn can prove he's not Dunn yet (no, I won't apologise) after injury and join that group in the middle ground of experience.

I'm excited to see Reece Topley playing for Surrey. He's always been a blower that impresses me when he's been fit. A bit like Toby Roland-Jones as a left-armer. Just seems get good players out at key times.

[guildfordbat]

Hi Carlos and all - this is the little I know or suspect.

Unless they've arrived recently, I don't think Amla and Morkel are back at the Oval.

Moriarty is though and may get a run out against Middlesex in tandem with Virdi who has rejoined Surrey having been released by the England Test group.

Foakes still with England afaik.

McKerr back at the Oval but unsure how fit he is and whether he'll play.

Don't worry about your Dunn joke! Stemming from his time with England u 19s a decade ago, his squad number is 4 for that reason - done for! He should play this game.

[jimbobgooner]

sadly no squad announced for tomorrow

[guildfordbat]

sadly no squad announced for tomorrow

Hi JimBob and everyone - all Surrey's available squad are expected to take part over the 2 days. The trouble is they haven't told us who is available!

Confirmed that Middlesex will bowl today and bat tomorrow. They have named slightly different squads for each of the 2 days.

I think the game is being shown on the Surrey website. Not sure about commentary.

[jimbobgooner]

50s for Jacks, Borthwick and Clark
I'm sure guildfod can tell us more

[guildfordbat]

50s for Jacks, Borthwick and Clark
I'm sure guildfod can tell us more  

Had to put something here else JimBob would want his money back.

Lovely, absolutely lovely to be back at the Oval, catch up with some old cronies, sup a couple of beers and watch two county sides. For a pre-season friendly (can I really write that at the end of July?!), the cricket wasn't bad and pretty competitive. Plus sunshine for a lot of the day.

As pre-agreed, Surrey batted all of the day and Middlesex will do the same today provided the weather allows them to get underway. Middlesex used about 13 or 14 players throughout the day, albeit obviously only 11 on the field at any one time. Not sure if Surrey plan similar for today but they just had 11 listed to bat with Rikki Clarke captaining the side. Poor Matt Dunn was number 11 but when the 9th wicket fell, Ryan Patel - who went cheaply opening - came out for another bat and went cheaply once more. Then Jamie Smith who made a fluent 20 odd first time at number 5 came in again and saw things to stumps with Jordan Clark. Clark batted with intent and deserved his fifty.

As their scores suggest, Surrey's batting honours though went to Borthwick with 87. Very watchful at first but then came out of himself more and possibly unlucky not to make a ton. He seemed unhappy to be given caught behind off Harris. From the off, Jacks at number 4 wasn't hanging about. He made his way to 20 with 5 boundaries and was on 37 with Borthwick - who came in before him when Stoneman went caught behind to a loose leg side flick - stuck on 6 for what seemed an age. Jacks went for about 60, noticeable that his stance is like a baseball hitter with leading foot well forward of the back one - feel he may susceptible to a quick yorker.

Nothing too quick from the Middlesex attack yesterday though. They were generally accurate and on the money as exemplified by Murtagh who always is. However, they were pretty samey with him, Harris and others for much of the day; don't know where Finn was but he wasn't playing. The bearded Roland-Jones sent down just 7 overs in two rather expensive spells. He got the wicket of Smith lbw but seemed a bit down on his pace and maybe a tad up on his weight. An England recall would seem a long way off going from yesterday and who else is around the Test scene now.

Middlesex did use spin late on and to good effect in the final session with Sowter and a Sri Lankan (Wallalawetti? sp) both picking up a couple of wickets. Their fielding was good throughout the day with some sharp catches taken. The best from skipper Eskinazi (?sp) at slip off Sowter to dismiss Moriarty (I'm hearing good things about this young Surrey spinner).

Anyway, a good day all round.

[guildfordbat]

Ps. Just to add - and not too often I say this - I thought the Club had things well organised. Everyone seemed sensible and no issues afaik. Particular praise to the stewards who were both friendly and efficient, not always easy to get the right balance and especially in the current situation.

[James100]

Top report Guildford, I'm guessing Rikki Clarke to captain most games this season with Burns in the test side and Foakes in the bubble

[alfie]

Glad to hear you had a good day at The Oval , guildford. Well done the Club arranging things in such challenging times.

I do wonder how these events will proceed as the season goes on...only going to take a bit of an alarm going off and it could all turn sour but hoping things will continue to improve...

[guildfordbat]

Thanks, folks. Nothing has been announced yet but I go along with James and think that Clarke will assume captaincy duties in Burns' absence. Not sure how available Foakes will be to us but, in any case, I think a keeper has enough to concentrate upon anyway. Batty and Dernbach are the other senior players available but I doubt we'll see them much in the 4 day games.

I managed to sneakily get along yesterday as well. Enjoyable once more even though it tended to be formulaic, especially in the morning. 10 from Dunn / Clarke combo followed by 10 from Taylor / Clark and then 9 from Patel / Virdi to lunch.

Dunn was the fastest on offer for either team over the 2 days although, sensibly given his fitness record and this being a friendly, he still didn't appear to over exert himself. Deserved his one wicket, that of Eskinazi in his second and final spell after lunch. Like most of the Surrey seamers, he ended the day having sent down 10 overs.

Taylor is a new young recruit from Notts (? need to check). He over pitched badly in his first over and Robson - yeah, he's still going - put him away for 3 or 4 boundaries. However, to his credit, he kept calm after that, was a lot tidier and picked up a wicket. The other seamer to collect a wicket yesterday was Patel. Fairly innocuous looking and no pace at all but on the stumps or just outside off and economical. Ended up wearing down Lace.

Nothing in the final column for Clarke (R) and Clark (J). They were ok with the ball though and Rikki, in particular, gave little away.

Others who went wicketless were spinners Moriarty and Borthwick. Moriarty is an Irish (?) left-armer who's come through the Academy and is well regarded. He seemed to have something about him bowling with a skip before release. Not sure how much opportunity he'll get in this truncated season but possibly one for 2021. Borthwick surprised me in that he wasn't awful.

Bowler of the day was Virdi with a threefer. Clever bowling at times. Andersson (no, me neither) made an aggressive 60 odd and was finally lured down the track as Virds bowled him, pushing a low one through. I was on the way home when he got Gubbins, an impressive century maker and man of the day.

Surrey's fielding was generally fine. Virds has lost some timber and whilst he'll never be a natural, he was diving around on the boundary at times. Three decent slip catches from Borthwick (2) and Clarke. As for Smith's keeping, I didn't much notice him - and that's good enough for now.

[king_carlos]

Surrey's fielding was generally fine. Virds has lost some timber and whilst he'll never be a natural, he was diving around on the boundary at times. Three decent slip catches from Borthwick (2) and Clarke. As for Smith's keeping, I didn't much notice him - and that's good enough for now.

Delighted to hear that about Virdi in particular. I was coached by Dave Byas briefly as an age grade cricketer. When chatting about improving fielding he used to say there's three things you need to concentrate on, "get fitter, get fitter and get fitter". There's a lot of truth in it. Not everyone will become a world class slipper by improving fitness but it helps massively with out field work and fielding on the ring. For me it just settled me down to feel less nervous in the field as I felt more athletic and faster over the ground. Felt like I had more time as it were. Being a keeper until I was 16 it felt alien fielding in the outfield after I grew about a foot over the winter!

Virdi definitely has the talent with the ball to kick onto the next level. He will need to keep working on his all-around game though.

Cracking summary as ever, guildford. With my family who lived in Kensington having moved away and busy summers work wise I've slipped out of following the Brown Caps as much as I once did. It's always lovely reading a knowledgeable summary from the County circuit.

My parents are based in Scotland these days as well as me so I've got some plans to visit Chester-le-Street with my dad at some point. We did have embryonic plans to visit Chelmsford for a CC match with my Grandma this summer. My granddad was an ardent Essex fan and member until his passing 20 years ago this summer, so it would have been a lovely trip. Hopefully in time such plans of grandeur can get going again.

[guildfordbat]

In other Surrey news-

* As mentioned at the ground (so unofficial but I trust it) and as of yesterday - Morkel in Australia with his Australian wife. Amla not in the UK. Plunkett and McKerr (thigh) injured.

* Days 1 and 2 of Surrey's first Bob Willis Trophy match at the Oval starting this weekend against Middlesex will again be used as part of the trialling of spectators at sporting events and so a limited number of members will again be allowed in. I think the Club are doing a fantastic job here, pushing the ECB and canvassing the Government. Apparently Chancellor Rishi Sunak was at the Oval on Sunday seeing what plans were in place and talking to Surrey's management.

[jimbobgooner]

sadly the game against Middlesex will now be played behind closed doors
bozo strikes again

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Reports we are signing Jamie Overton

[JDizzle]

He’ll be followed out the door by Craig and Dom Bess too.

[guildfordbat]

Reports we are signing Jamie Overton

Seems he'll be joining us on loan from next week prior to a long term deal.

Didn't hear any whisper of this at the ground during the Middlesex friendly. Understandable signing though. England call ups and current injuries placing severe limits on the number of seamers we have available plus Morkel and Dernbach likely to be nearing the end of their careers.

[jimbobgooner]

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/arun_harinath_surrey_cricket_county_interview_england_batsman.html
very interesting read this

[guildfordbat]

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/arun_harinath_surrey_cricket_county_interview_england_batsman.html
very interesting read this

Thank very much, JimBob. Hadn't seen that before. As you say, very interesting read.

I note it mentions he's also been doing a bit of junior coaching. I understood that's what he was hoping to get into when his playing career ended and am sure he'll be good at it. Hope he keeps at that even though his main job now is very different.

[guildfordbat]

Evening Standard reporting that Foakes might be released by England to play in Surrey's Bob Willis match against Kent starting Saturday.

[jimbobgooner]

Evening Standard reporting that Foakes might be released by England to play in Surrey's Bob Willis match against Kent starting Saturday.

excellent news

[guildfordbat]

Evening Standard reporting that Foakes might be released by England to play in Surrey's Bob Willis match against Kent starting Saturday.

excellent news

Confirmed on Surrey twitter this morning that Foakes has left the England bubble and is available for the Kent game.

[alfie]

Evening Standard reporting that Foakes might be released by England to play in Surrey's Bob Willis match against Kent starting Saturday.

excellent news

Confirmed on Surrey twitter this morning that Foakes has left the England bubble and is available for the Kent game.

Glad to hear that. Feel for him having to spend weeks in a bubble just to run drinks and work in the nets. At least he will get a chance to play a couple of games now.

Imagine Surrey will be pleased too

[James100]

Good news about Foakes. Evans signed on a two year deal from 2021

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Evans a good signing for the one day and T20 side I think. Decent middle order reserve for the red ball stuff

[guildfordbat]

Evans a good signing for the one day and T20 side I think. Decent middle order reserve for the red ball stuff

100% with that, Olly.

The importance of a seasoned reserve for the red ball should not be underestimated.

When we did so well around the end of the last century and the early years of this one, we had good batting reserves (Darren Bicknell, Jason Ratcliffe, Nadeem Shahid) who came into the side when others (Stewart, Thorpe, Butcher) were with England. In many ways, they were ultimate professionals and the cornerstone of our success producing decent performances when needed and then going back into the seconds without complaint.

[guildfordbat]

With restricted numbers, members will be admitted to Surrey's t20 Blast fixture against Hants at the Oval next Thursday.*

All part of the Government trialling attendance at sporting events prior to a bigger reopening which is hoped to occur on 1st October.

For all Surrey's useless performances on the field this season, the suits are battling hard and well so that we can watch some cricket.

* And yes, I've already applied for my ticket.

[jimbobgooner]

Pope out up to 4 months after dislocating his shoulder again

[guildfordbat]

Topley released by England to play for Surrey at Kent tomorrow.

Maybe Dunn rested for Topley with loanee Cullen replacing Taylor.

[guildfordbat]

Prior to his 3 year deal from next season, Jamie Overton has signed on loan with immediate effect.

I know Alec Stewart was trying to get a loan sorted out as soon as the permanent contract was announced but Somerset were then resisting.

[jimbobgooner]

Prior to his 3 year deal from next season, Jamie Overton has signed on loan with immediate effect.

I know Alec Stewart was trying to get a loan sorted out as soon as the permanent contract was announced but Somerset were then resisting.

Wonder if a debut tomorrow night?

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Prior to his 3 year deal from next season, Jamie Overton has signed on loan with immediate effect.

I know Alec Stewart was trying to get a loan sorted out as soon as the permanent contract was announced but Somerset were then resisting.

Seems from what people on twitter are saying that Overton has pushed Somerset hard for this, wanting to get moved and a few games under his belt for his new team this season.

[king_carlos]

Interested to see how Jamie Overton does at Surrey. My view from when I've seen the twins play is that Jamie has noticeably more pace but can leak runs through inconsistency. I must say that I've always rated Craig higher but Jamie has a lot of talent.

If he puts the ball in the wrong places on Oval wickets with the lightning outfield he will ship a lot of runs. If he gets it in the right place with that height and pace he should be very effective.

It was a surprise to see him in the England training squads just after lockdown ahead of a few other seamers. Perhaps bowling on a Test pitch more regularly has prompted the move. He would fit the Boyd Rankin mould of tall seamer the England selectors start thinking about in the build up to an Ashes down under.

[jimbobgooner]

Here we go again Jack Plom has joined Surrey on loan from Essex for their final Bob willis trophy game.
seriously what is the point in this

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