Opening spell from the Vauxhall End.....season preview

Burns, Sibley, Pope, Lawrence, Smith, Foakes, Clark, Lawes, Atkinson, Roach, Worrall

If we can get close to that team on the field for the games scheduled for April and May, then we have a shot at a third successive title. This is something that Surrey have not achieved since the all-conquering side of the 1950s. The Hollioake team may have dominated at the turn of the millennium, but their three championship wins were separated by an underwhelming campaign in 2001, when they won just 3 of 16 matches.  Alec Stewart must challenge this team to help him sign off in style, by achieving what the team of all-stars in which he featured only sporadically during the ‘glory years’ did not.

So who is likely to stop us? Without hesitation: Lancashire. I had expected them (along with Essex) to be our nearest rivals last year. They lost fewer games than any other team, but drew far too many. But what business they have done in the winter! They have secured two top-drawer overseas players who are available for the entire season. While conditions may not be to Nathan Lyon’s liking early season, he is likely to have made a significant difference to their ‘win’ column come September. New Zealander Tom Bruce, their other overseas, is a specialist white-ball batsman; still his first class average is just a fraction under 50 (for comparison: Tom Latham’s is 43). Lancashire’s squad is as deep as ours, and I would argue that they can cover the likes of Phil Salt and Jos Buttler better than we can cover Ollie Pope and (especially) Ben Foakes’s absence. Jamie Smith has become a key specialist batsman; if he has to don the gloves regularly, his batting will suffer to his and the team's detriment. Essex’s batting will be weaker without Lawrence and the redoubtable Sir Alistair, but their bowling attack remains the most potent in the country. Of the promoted teams, we should make the most of our trip to Worcester as I fear they will be straight back down. Durham, on the other hand, could be dark horses. Their batting and seam department are very strong, and Ollie Robinson has become one of the best wicket-keeper/batsmen around. I think they’ll make the top four.

As far as our own overseas signings go, I am a little more nervous than some of you. Kemar Roach has been a force for sure, but he will be 36 soon, and - as an out-and-out pace bowler - I do hope it won’t prove to be a season too many for him (exhibit A – Morne Morkel 2019). It was annoying to say the least that we had lined up Hardie (who impressed at Scarborough two years ago) only for him to be pulled out by Cricket Australia at (from our point of view) short notice.  In recent years, a Surrey pre-announcement of an overseas player's arrival seems something not to be celebrated prematurely, a bit like a goal at football in these days of VAR.  I am certainly looking forward to seeing Sean Abbott back – as much for his unexpectedly impressive batting as his bowling – though even here there seems to be a risk that he will be taken from us prematurely if named in Australia’s T20 world cup squad, which seems likely.

Alec Stewart’s decision to step down at the end of the season heralds the impending end of an era. There will be plenty of time to reflect on his immense contribution to making us the cricketing force we have become in recent years. As he would wish, Surrey’s players and supporters should for now focus all of our attention on the season ahead rather than on him. I am sure that the need to be there more for his wife is the main reason behind his decision to leave the post, just as he has said when he announced it. But it is significant that he has at the same time underlined that he is not looking to retire from cricket but will be open to other job opportunities (with England?) Despite Surrey’s success he has become visibly and audibly disillusioned at the way the county game has been marginalised, leaving his meticulous recruitment planning in tatters and in August struggling to even get 11 bodies on the pitch. His “gallows humour” at forums has barely disguised his increasing feeling of powerlessness. I think it played a part.  

Finally, I couldn’t help but notice that one or two threads on the forum have recently degenerated into something akin to the old one, which starred “Guest 1, "Guest 2", etc.  All we need is Tony Gray to make a comeback “yeah, man….rice and peas!”.

Very good Jackers. With Pope, Foakes and Atkinson it depends on how many games England let them play for us.

All very true, with one note that I believe they have (bizarrely) gone back to 8 for a draw this year.

Steve wrote:Very good Jackers.  With Pope, Foakes and Atkinson it depends on how many games England let them play for us.

I think we'll really miss Will Jacks, the signing of Lawrence this summer should have improved our batting, but if we lose Jacks and Foakes for most of the season, aswell as potentially at times Lawrence too, the batting is weaker. We can't always expect the bottom half of the order to double our first innings scores just to stay in games. Lets not forget Foakes did score runs and scored more runs than Rory Burns last season, our third highest run scorer.

Foakes and Smith between them scored 1452 runs, I think the loss of Foakes will be immense, not just to Foakes but potentailly Smiths form.

We have to expect more from Burns and Sibley (1377 runs combined - see above), as our most experienced bastman they should be looking to scoring 1000 runs, not scratching around to top 500. They averaged 22-23 runs  in the first innings last season, so without improvement we cannot dream of another Championship winning season.

Last season we had 6 players playing 13 or more county matches, Burns, Sibley, Clark, Foakes, Smith and Worrall.
We can hopefully expect 5 of those to match that and perhaps get more games from Atkinson (5) and Overton (6) who will hopefully have a point to prove being snubbed by England. (im willing Jofra Archer to get fit for the West Indies series)

Personally i'd be filing that overseas spot with an opener and dropping Sibley to 3. Smith at 4 and then anyone else is a bonus.
With Worrall, Overton, Lawes and Atkinson alongside Abbott and Roach we have a good pace attack, not to mention Clark was our leading wicket-taker last season alongside Worrall on 48.

You have to hope this squad isn't going stale with very little changes in the personel.

You'd like to think one or two of our white ball players might come in and help out in the Championship, but I don't expect any will.

Always good to have Jackers back with his colourful insights into the new season.
I'm not convinced Archer is ever going to be fit for 5 day Tests, so we may lose Atkinson, but we may gain Foakes. England are daft enough to keep YJB. As for overseas-well I've got a bit lost in all the
shifting around. But the potential ODC squad looks ok at the moment. Depends who leaves the 100 halfway through for some other naff hit and giggle nonsense.

Hi Jackers - yep, a typically good opening spell probing at or around the top of off.

Totally agree with your initial thoughts on Alec Stewart and the time to properly expand on those being later in the year.

Your desired eleven for April and May is close to mine although I would also have Overton in the mix. Either in place of Lawes / Atkinson or as part of a general rotation for the seamers.

I know you're a strong supporter of the door opening Tom but having him at number 8 - as you appear to suggest - would concern me. He averaged less than 12 in the Championship last season (12 innings, one of which was not out) and it's important that improve.

We regularly and rightly moan about players being withdrawn from playing for us by England. In an ironic twist, I wonder if we might come under pressure from England to pick Gus as he is now firmly on their radar even though he's rarely been a nailed on pick for us.

In a minor tweak, I would swap Foakes and Smith in the order so that the former is at number 5. Foakes is a very decent classical batsman but lacks the versatility to bat with the tail. That was a noticeable weakness in India and why Surrey supporters may get to see him more this summer than some fear.

RB wrote:All very true, with one note that I believe they have (bizarrely) gone back to 8 for a draw this year.

The thinking is that it fits better with the higher bonus point targets.

Personally don’t feel Gus is Ready for Test Cricket.He would really Benefit from a season of CC Bowling at the opposition Top Order.

If a fit Jamie Overton can't get in the team we might as well all pack up and go home.

Jamie Overton will get his share of games. They come thick and first in the first part of the season (only one "rest week" in the first eight), and we know from experience that Surrey will give each of their seamers a week off at some point. In fact, the chances are one or more will pick up an injury and we'll then be down to McKerr, Taylor or Dunn.

I agree with much of Peter's post. The batting looks strong with everyone available, but once Pope and Foakes are told to rest ahead of the gruelling challenges that the modern-day West Indies test team will present(!) it looks fragile, even with Lawrence on board. I would also prioritise a batsman as my second overseas pick. Ideally, that would be someone to bat at 3 or 4 (which Smith should be encouraged to do, but won't be able to if forced to keep wicket). I'm not sure Sibley is suited to anything but opening, and moving him to 3 would be little more than an insurance policy against Rory Burns failing early which surely he can't continue to do as often.

Jamie Smith deserves a place for his batting alone. Josh Blake can deputise for Ben.
I like the look of our squad and look forward to another title

Talk from Batty that he can turn Lawrence into a genuine spin bowling all-rounder The Cricketer Article

His bowling stats last season for Essex in 11 county matches were:

8 Overs 2 maidens 25 runs 0 wickets

Peter.M.Gardens wrote:Talk from Batty that he can turn Lawrence into a genuine spin bowling all-rounder The Cricketer Article

His bowling stats last season for Essex in 11 county matches were:

8 Overs 2 maidens 25 runs 0 wickets

Well, if anyone should know, it's Gareth.

If Lawrence can become a genuine spin threat, rather than the next Badger "he's been coached by Shane Warne in the winter" Borthwick, I'd be delighted.

Jackers wrote:

Peter.M.Gardens wrote:Talk from Batty that he can turn Lawrence into a genuine spin bowling all-rounder The Cricketer Article

His bowling stats last season for Essex in 11 county matches were:

8 Overs 2 maidens 25 runs 0 wickets

Well, if anyone should know, it's Gareth.

If Lawrence can become a genuine spin threat, and not the next Badger "he's been coached by Shane Warne in the winter" Borthwick I'd be delighted.

He obviously bowls a bit in the white ball franchises, maybe he's that option in short term with no Narine or Jacks in our squad when the T20 comes around.

Here's my attempt at predicting where teams will end up this year.

1 - Surrey. Three-in-a-row, but by a whisker, not at a canter
2 - Lancashire. A formidable squad, but without Lyons all season we may just pip them.
3 - Durham. Can really see them doing well. Quality in every department.
4 - Essex.  Still the strongest bowling unit, but batting distinctly average now.
5 - Warwickshire. Another strong seam-bowling unit with inconsistent batting.
6 - Hampshire. Abbass/Abbott/Barker still handy but older. Less cricket in summer for Dawson.
7 - Notts.  Plenty of depth in the seam department, batting hit and miss.
8 - Somerset. Rew and the spinners are class, but otherwise unexceptional.
9 - Kent. Lucky to survive last year, and don't look much better ahead of this season.
10 - Worcestershire. Lucky to get the second promotion spot and lost players to Notts.

Division 2
1 - Sussex. Some exciting young guns down by the south coast. Phenomenal batting.
2 - Middlesex. Bowling likely to be too hot for Div 2. Du Plooy a great batting reinforcement.
3 - Yorkshire. Brooks and Root on board early season. Seamers good but injury-prone
4 - Northamptonshire. Finished the season with spirit, but may not bounce back.
5 - Glamorgan. Some class batsmen and all-rounders, but struggle to take wickets
6 - Leicestershire. No longer the whipping boys, and will give teams a good game.
7 - Derbyshire. Without Du Plooy, the batting looks ordinary. Bowling powder-puff.
8 - Gloucestershire. No discernable threat with bat or ball as far as I can see.

ECB Preview

I'm extremely confident that if we have 75-80% of our red ball squad available most matches we will win the County Championship.

I'm sick of trying to guess who of our mercanaries will be available this season for the Vitality T20, and to be brutally honest don't care much for our white ball teams. You'd hope as captain Chris Jordan might show up for most of the T20 stuff this year, after missing out on the IPL.

Will be good to see Jamie Smith and Tom Lawes kick on and hopefully be everpresents and key first team cricketers. I think Dom Sibley will be our stand out batsman, we certainly need one of our openers to be the rock solid backbone for big 1st Innings scores. Our bowling attack could be very very good.

I think Somerset could be dark horses, Renshaw will be coming in with something to prove to the Aussie selectors, and a few underachieved last season, who could come good this year, eg Craig Overton.

Jackers wrote:Jamie Overton will get his share of games. They come thick and first in the first part of the season (only one "rest week" in the first eight), and we know from experience that Surrey will give each of their seamers a week off at some point. In fact, the chances are one or more will pick up an injury and we'll then be down to McKerr, Taylor or Dunn.

Overton likely to miss him whole of June for T20 World Cup (so 2x Championship matches and 6xT20s) when we have Sean Abbott available. (alongside Jacks, Atkinson, Topley and Sam Curran) replacing Stokes?

With Worrall and Clark we hopefully have two constants that we pick the rest of our bowling options around. (April/May we could have Roach, Lawes, Overton, Lawes and Atkinson available to take 3 spots)