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

[king_carlos]

Injuries have been the big stalling point for Dunn and Meaker.

Knee and groin injuries are indicative of how much stress Meakers chest on, shoulder heavy action puts on his body. He's a big bloke and generated serious pace largely in his delivery stride. That stress took it's toll and he's lost some pace these days, sadly.

Dunn's games played tell the story for the young man. One list-A game (interestingly for the England development XI) and he hasn't played a T20 game since 2015. That to go with only 36 first class appearances when he's about to turn 27. I really rate Dunn and hope he gets fit enough to make an impact on the county circuit. When breaking through he had the pace to make the ball do plenty off the pitch. Hopefully he finds the fitness and accuracy (he's crux when younger) to make an impact.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

anybody doing any games this season? I'm thinking of getting too the Kent home CC game in July if i can find a cheap hotel deal

[guildfordbat]

anybody doing any games this season? I'm thinking of getting too the Kent home CC game in July if i can find a cheap hotel deal

Olly - I'm away when we play Hants at the Oval in August but should otherwise be mainly around including for the Kent game.

Meanwhile, Matt Dunn took 3/38 off his 10 overs as Surrey beat Sussex in a seconds one-day game on Friday. Best of all there, him bowling his full allocation. Might just see him in the squad for the RL 50 game at Somerset on Tuesday as our embarassing participation in this year's competition comes to an end.

[JDizzle]

Dan Douthwaite MOM today in his debut for Glammy - looking at his Cricinfo page he is Surrey age groups and 2nd XI, any word on him? He looked a talented lad.

[guildfordbat]

Hi JD - I don't know much about Douthwaite but, as you say, he came through the Surrey age groups and was on the outer fringes of the first team squad a couple of years ago. I think it was in 2017 that he played for the firsts in a pre-season game with two or three semi-regulars left on the sidelines. I believe around this time he was playing for Dorking in one of the local leagues - I heard for a fair bit of dosh although don't know the truth of that. It would seem from this that he was pretty highly regarded although things didn't materialise further for him at Surrey. I can't say why although I suspect there may have been some question over whether he was primarily a batsman or a bowler.

He then went off to Cardiff uni as I understand things and impressed in a MCCU match against Glamorgan who gave him a pro contract, something he never had at Surrey.

I only saw him bowling in today's televised match. He did a decent job with the ball and seemed to produce a quicker delivery at times.

[guildfordbat]

Sam Curran has apparently been ordered to rest by the ECB following his IPL stint and so cannot play in the Championship match starting tomorrow at Somerset.

Madness, utter f***ing madness.

[jimbobgooner]

Sam Curran has apparently been ordered to rest by the ECB following his IPL stint and so cannot play in the Championship match starting tomorrow at Somerset.

Madness, utter f***ing madness.

spot on Guildford

[jimbobgooner]

104 today for the Burger van in a second XI defeat to Hampshire.
Sadly Will Jacks miserable form continues with scores of just 12 and 2
No sign of virdi in this match either

[guildfordbat]

104 today for the Burger van in a second XI defeat to Hampshire.
Sadly Will Jacks miserable form continues with scores of just 12 and 2  
No sign of virdi in this match either

Cheers, JimBob. Hadn't seen any reports or scores from that seconds' match.
A mate of mine was at Scarbados and said that Virdi was there - I think for the whole time along with Dunn and Burns.
Did you pick up that Meaker played as a batsman for the seconds? Another injury preventing him bowling although I'm not sure what.

[jimbohammers]

Some info you guys might find interesting. Harinath has signed for Hampshire on loan, but on our website it says that he'll be playing second xi cricket. Strange one. Anyway in his first game for us he's scored 1 and 14.

[jimbobgooner]

Some info you guys might find interesting. Harinath has signed for Hampshire on loan, but on our website it says that he'll be playing second xi cricket. Strange one. Anyway in his first game for us he's scored 1 and 14.

has he gone there as cover jimbo ? thought I read somewhere one of your openers is injured

[guildfordbat]

Some info you guys might find interesting. Harinath has signed for Hampshire on loan, but on our website it says that he'll be playing second xi cricket. Strange one. Anyway in his first game for us he's scored 1 and 14.

has he gone there as cover jimbo ? thought I read somewhere one of your openers is injured

The Baron is at Hants for a trial.

Hang on to your own players, JimboH.

[jimbohammers]

You're right Jimbob, Weatherley is out for the season and Alsop has also got injured. Was thinking Harinath would maybe get a chance this week but he's not in our squad. Perhaps the low scores in the second xi game didn't help..

Guildford, does seem a bit of a bizarre move!

[guildfordbat]

Hi JimboH - Harinath's contract is up at the end of this season and I suspect that he is about to be released by Surrey. I further suspect that Surrey have allowed him to go on loan to Hants for a trial but, in a rather mean and petty way, not play CC cricket as they are Div One rivals.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Fellas - been meaning to ask this for a while, is there another Surrey fans forum dedicated to Surrey you guys post on, or is well known/active?

[Voice of the Beehive]

I haven't been posting on this site this season mainly because I was only able to watch Surrey for two days all year but I have followed matters very closely and read all your posts with interest and enjoyment. Thought I'd chip in with my two penneth.

A pity it has been such a poor season. I'm sure there will be a full enquiry by the powers that be at The Oval and it remains to be seen whether there will be any casualties amongst the coaching staff. It can't be certain that Di Venuto will be there next year while, although Richard Johnson seems to have escaped external criticism, the bowling has hardly been a roaring success under his guidance.

As for on field matters I feel some recruitment is necessary. I much prefer to see our own coming through but the average age of our bowling attack in particular is far too high when the Currans are unavailable and it seems likely we will have limited chances to field Pope in the batting line up. It's a shame that Jacks and Patel have not yet lived up to their promise and Smith has been injured so much. They remain an important part of the future but need a bit of experienced help in the line up. Hard to see Elgar returning as the overseas.

Anyway although there's still a day left of the season, I wish you a restful winter and look forward to next season. It can't be worse than this one for Surrey, can it ?

[jimbobgooner]

I haven't been posting on this site this season mainly because I was only able to watch Surrey for two days all year but I have followed matters very closely and read all your posts with interest and enjoyment. Thought I'd chip in with my two penneth.

A pity it has been such a poor season. I'm sure there will be a full enquiry by the powers that be at The Oval and it remains to be seen whether there will be any casualties amongst the coaching staff. It can't be certain that Di Venuto will be there next year while, although Richard Johnson seems to have escaped external criticism, the bowling has hardly been a roaring success under his guidance.

As for on field matters I feel some recruitment is necessary. I much prefer to see our own coming through but the average age of our bowling attack in particular is far too high when the Currans are unavailable and it seems likely we will have limited chances to field Pope in the batting line up. It's a shame that Jacks and Patel have not yet lived up to their promise and Smith has been injured so much. They remain an important part of the future but need a bit of experienced help in the line up. Hard to see Elgar returning as the overseas.

Anyway although there's still a day left of the season, I wish you a restful winter and look forward to next season. It can't be worse than this one for Surrey, can it ?

winter well mate

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

[jimbobgooner]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

yeah I wonder where from

[Afro]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

They’ve been doing the rounds for a few weeks. On TMS during the Ashes, they were speaking to someone from Middlesex (can’t remember who) and pushing him on the rumours.

He refused to comment which I took as meaning there was something in it.

Could do with someone of his class at Taunton, but never going to compete with the Man Utd of the cricket world aka Surrey!!

[James100]

Some end of season averages

Batting
Finch 90 @ 90
Pope 561 @ 80
Burns 603 @ 38
Clarke 662 @ 33
Borthwick 705 @ 31
T Curran 30 @ 30
Stoneman 685 @ 30
S Curran 265 @ 29
Elgar 555 @ 29
Virdi 28 @ 28
Jacks 427 @ 27
Foakes 575 @ 26
Smith 338 @ 26
Clark 268 @ 24
Patel 292 @ 22

Bowling
Virdi 23 @ 20
Dunn 13 @ 21
Clarke 43 @ 24
Batty 26 @ 26
S Curran 19 @ 27
Elgar 2 @ 29
Morkel 44 @ 29
Clark 21 @ 30
T Curran 3 @ 39
McKerr 7 @ 52
Patel 4 @ 53
van den Bergh 1 @ 88
Plunkett 1 @ 160

Must say I hadn't realised quite how bad a few of our batsmen had been

[guildfordbat]

Some end of season averages

Batting
Finch 90 @ 90
Pope 561 @ 80
Burns 603 @ 38
Clarke 662 @ 33
Borthwick 705 @ 31
T Curran 30 @ 30
Stoneman 685 @ 30
S Curran 265 @ 29
Elgar 555 @ 29
Virdi 28 @ 28
Jacks 427 @ 27
Foakes 575 @ 26
Smith 338 @ 26
Clark 268 @ 24
Patel 292 @ 22

Bowling
Virdi 23 @ 20
Dunn 13 @ 21
Clarke 43 @ 24
Batty 26 @ 26
S Curran 19 @ 27
Elgar 2 @ 29
Morkel 44 @ 29
Clark 21 @ 30
T Curran 3 @ 39
McKerr 7 @ 52
Patel 4 @ 53
van den Bergh 1 @ 88
Plunkett 1 @ 160

Must say I hadn't realised quite how bad a few of our batsmen had been

Thanks for that, James.

Just a few observations and comments on Surrey in the County Championship with help from my Playfair concerning 2018 stats:

* So much of our success in 2018 was set up by the combined weight of runs that Burns (1,359) and Pope (986) contributed. 2,345 in total. This year they amassed less than half that amount. A mere 1,164.

* That reduction is largely understandable given Burns being away on Test duty (although his CC average went from almost 65 in 2018 to 38 this year) and Pope being injured the majority of this last season. What is disappointing though is that no one stood up and came near to making up their runs. So many - Borthwick, Stoneman, Elgar, Jacks, Foakes, Smith and Patel - did little more than tread water or even fall away further as the season went on.

* The bowling is less of a concern with seven players taking a double figure number of wickets at between 20 and 30 each. However, no real stand out amongst them. Compare that to last year when Morkel took 59 wickets from his 10 matches (he played all 14 this time) at just over 14 each.

* A surprisingly reliable bowler in 2018 who took 32 wickets (behind only Morkel, Clarke and Virdi) at 29 each was Dernbach. He didn't play at all in 2019.

I find it hard to be optimistic about 2020. We will again lose our leading players to England whilst it seems unlikely that Morkel will rediscover his 2018 form. Furthermore, there aren't youngsters from the seconds knocking on the door in the way that Pope and Virdi were doing a couple of years ago. We do have the money for signings - and Stewart has many contacts and considerable influence - but the days are gone when a leading overseas current international would sign on for a whole county season. Some new blood will almost certainly be needed and it'll be probably be up to Stewie to magic up one or two short-term signings.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Hashim Amla to join Surrey as a Kolpak on a two year deal

Lovely stuff

[Afro]

Not sure that’s a great signing tbh.

Will be on loads of money and is nowhere near the player he was. Think Surrey could do better.

[guildfordbat]

Reece Topley also now being linked with Surrey.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Don’t get that personally Guildford - albeit our white ball bowling was horrific this year, but someone with Topley’s injury past scares me

[JDizzle]

How the hell is Reece Topley only 25? Feels like he has been around for years and years!

[guildfordbat]

Completely at one with you, Olly, although that's the word about Topley.

Amla seems a much better and necessary proposition. Particularly as Burns, Pope and Roy are likely to be with England (red or white ball) a lot of next season whilst those who deputised in 2019 were found wanting.

[Jetty]

How do Surrey need more fast bowlers?

1 Morkel
2 S Curran
3 T Curran
4 Dernbach
5 Meaker
6 Dunn
7 McKerr
8 Plunkett
9 Clark
10 Clarke
11 Atkinson
12 R Patel
13 Nico Reifer
14 Topley

[LondonTiger]

Gareth Batty and Rikki Clarke given 1 year contract extensions.

Rumour that this is just to give Plunkett some company on Saga days are apparently unfounded.

[jimbobgooner]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

Off to Yorkshire instead

[guildfordbat]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

Off to Yorkshire instead

Assuming Malan does end up at Yorks, it makes getting Amla all the more important.

[thegooch7]

And Haseeb Hameed!

[jimbobgooner]

And Haseeb Hameed!

[guildfordbat]

No news about Amla or Topley but signing of Australian seamer Michael Neser for the first half of 2020 announced today. The club kept that well under wraps.

I know Neser's name but little more. Probably not a deal to generate mega excitement but sounds a useful acquisition. I'm not convinced Morkel will be around that much longer but hopefully Neser will be a bowling partner next season and not a replacement.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No news about Amla or Topley but signing of Australian seamer Michael Neser for the first half of 2020 announced today. The club kept that well under wraps.

I know Neser's name but little more. Probably not a deal to generate mega excitement but sounds a useful acquisition. I'm not convinced Morkel will be around that much longer but hopefully Neser will be a bowling partner next season and not a replacement.

Not a hugely exciting signing - but think it's important that the club have stressed first half of the season in the announcement. We should have Pope/Burns/Foakes for certain then, and it's like the Curran's are off in the IPL - so actually the seam bowling could do with another quality addition. Neser also appears to be someone who will flourish in early season English conditions.

Shadab Khan announced as the first overseas signing for the Blast - very very happy with that, he is a quality operator with the ball and handy with the bat. Also a good fielder!

[guildfordbat]

Hi Olly - thanks for your post. I was going to ask about Shadab Khan - sounds very good.

Our second Blast signing for next season is due to be announced at 1pm today. Fingers crossed, that's Finch.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Hi Olly - thanks for your post. I was going to ask about Shadab Khan - sounds very good.

Our second Blast signing for next season is due to be announced at 1pm today. Fingers crossed, that's Finch.

He should be better than OAP the leg spinner we had for the blast this past summer anyways!

[guildfordbat]

Not Finchy - don't know why not - but another Australian, D'Arcy Short.

Hmmm - he's probably more than decent, I'll have to be guided by Olly and anyone else on that. However and this may just be my ignorance but I was hoping for some clear and obvious batting firepower to make up for all the others - Stoneman, Burns, Borthwick, Foakes, Smith - who can hardly hit the ball off the square.

[JDizzle]

Not Finchy - don't know why not - but another Australian, D'Arcy Short.

Hmmm - he's probably more than decent, I'll have to be guided by Olly and anyone else on that. However and this may just be my ignorance but I was hoping for some clear and obvious batting firepower to make up for all the others - Stoneman, Burns, Borthwick, Foakes, Smith - who can hardly hit the ball off the square.

483 runs (4th in the comp) averaging 44, whilst striking at 140 for Durham last year - not a batsman’s paradise. He’s another good signing (unfortunately!).

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Not Finchy - don't know why not - but another Australian, D'Arcy Short.

Hmmm - he's probably more than decent, I'll have to be guided by Olly and anyone else on that. However and this may just be my ignorance but I was hoping for some clear and obvious batting firepower to make up for all the others - Stoneman, Burns, Borthwick, Foakes, Smith - who can hardly hit the ball off the square.

I am unconvinced about Short personally, but he has been the top run scorer in the last two editions of the Big Bash, and I know a lot of Aussie pundits rate him highly.

Finch is unavailable due to Australian duty.

[Gooseberry]

Shorts very much a T20 firepower player, hes played IPL and been successful in the Big Bash. As hes only on the margins of the Aus team he might turn out to be a very smart pick up and largely available. Not sure how the fixtures class but theres a risk with players like Finch that you lose them for chunks of the tournament.


Edit - Olly answers me on that point!

[king_carlos]

Short is an excellent player. Top run scorer in the Big Bash, opens the batting and bowls decent left arm wristspin.

A shame that Finch hasn't been re-signed though.

[Gooseberry]

Worth noting hes rated highly enough to have been picked up for the 100 too

[guildfordbat]

Topley signing confirmed - 2 year white ball deal with option to play red ball on a match by match basis.

Add that to the two young guys (Kimber and Taylor - no, me neither) signed on 2 year contracts last week and it doesn't look great for any seamer whose contract is up at the end of 2020.

[guildfordbat]

Two year Kolpak deal announced for Amla.

That's the one we wanted!

[James100]

That's all the rumoured signings confirmed I think?

Would still be good to find another batsman if we're going to lose Burns and Pope to England for most of the Summer. Unless Stewie et al. are confident that at least one of Jacks, Smith and Patel will kick on and have a big season.

[JDizzle]

Chris Rushworth
@ChrisRush22

Surrey haven't announced a signing for 3 days... I hope theyre all OK down there.

[jimbobgooner]

Chris Rushworth
@ChrisRush22

Surrey haven't announced a signing for 3 days... I hope theyre all OK down there.

[guildfordbat]

Hearing Malan to Surrey rumours

Off to Yorkshire instead

Malan to Yorks finally announced today. 4 year deal.

Although I would have liked Surrey to have got him, I suspect his county availability may be restricted by England duty.

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