2021 in review....down, down, deeper and down (with the status quo....)

A few thoughts before I sign off for my traditional off-season sabbatical from posting on the board.

While this season could hardly have been as frustrating as last, in my view it has been distinctly more depressing. How so? Well,while there was virtually no Surrey cricket to watch live last year, we were also granted a stay of execution from the dreaded Hundred. So there remained the prospect that maybe – just maybe – the unanticipated loss of momentum would render it strangled at conception, or that when it did arrive its impact on the cricket we enjoy would turn out to be far less than we had feared.

Well, now we know. Far from the Hundred being killed off by events, it was given the kiss of life. The extended Government COVID restrictions which impacted all of our seven T20 home matches meant that only 6,000 members were able to attend, and not the other 18.000 paying customers including all the thirsty city boys and girls. Guess what they rocked up for as soon as the restrictions were lifted, starved as they were of their short-form cricket fix for two years. Anyone who thinks Surrey or county cricket can prosper in any meaningful sense alongside franchise teams playing a fourth format during prime summer is frankly deluded.  As Sparks said, “this town aint big enough for the both of us and aint me who’s gonna leave” (at least not without a fight…).

In the meantime, Surrey’s decline in all forms of cricket has gathered a head of steam like the energy prices now bombing in the opposite direction. Despite having our England test batsmen and wicket-keeper in April and May, we started the season poorly. Our seam bowling has, throughout the season, been arguably as weak as any side in the country. It is no use hiding behind the Oval pitch: look at the runs we conceded away to teams like Leicestershire and Northants.

We started like a train in the T20 competition, but as soon as Jason Roy and the Currans had played their three games for the season we fell apart like a cheap suit. We did as well as could have been expected in reaching the semi-finals of the 50-over competition, but despite a memorable batting performance against Notts at Guildford, in truth, the quality of the competition as a whole was distinctly second-rate, stripped of almost all of the best players. Let’s not kid ourselves that Ryan Patel magically reinvented himself as Chris Gayle during those four weeks.  

The well of players coming through from the Academy seems to have run dry, for the time being at least. One or more of Geddes, Kimber and Reifer may make it, but the jury is not so much out but has not even been sworn in yet so far on what little evidence I have seen of the three so far.  The calibre of players that we are now recruiting from other counties seems to be rather underwhelming. Cameron Steel is a decent option for the 50-over game, but not good enough to be a regular in a decent championship team. Dan Worrall’s record for Gloucestershire doesn’t inspire confidence either.

Plus points? Well, Tim David turned out to be quite a signing, and though his performances in the 50-over stuff have to be taken in the context of the standard he was facing I liked what I saw of him, and hope he returns. Jamie Smith has emerged as a very reliable and level-headed performer in both red and white ball cricket, and a potential future captain. Off the pitch, the One Oval Square development is quite impressive, and The Oval still feels like home, despite the commercialisation evident in, for example, the somewhat bizarre naming of the “M A R Galadari Stand”    

But otherwise, as we await news of what the cricket schedule and the format of the championship will look like next year, there is little reason for optimism. Trying to work out what sort of team we are able to put out given the straightjacket we are currently placed in for all three competitions is as futile as agonising about which deckchairs should be put out on the Titanic. Rather, we have to hope that enough counties have the wisdom to accept that compliance with the ECB’s agenda is a one-way ticket to oblivion, and  find the courage to do something about it. The alternative is the relentless salami-slicing of county cricket and a year-on-year decline in the game that we know and love.

I’ll be dipping in and out, but otherwise I’ll be taking a break to refresh my appetite for whatever comes next.  Winter well everyone, as Churchy would say.

Yes, a good summary from Jackers, and I think most has been said. Better this season forgotten. But of course good luck Rikki, Jade and Gareth for the future. As for me.....well fixtures for 2022 will be my next main interest and the Surrey squad. England? Not really bothered I'm afraid. Have a good Autumn folks.

Chinaman wrote:Yes, a good summary from Jackers, and I think most has been said. Better this season forgotten. But of course good luck Rikki, Jade and Gareth for the future. As for me.....well fixtures for 2022 will be my next main interest and the Surrey squad. England? Not really bothered I'm afraid. Have a good Autumn folks.

China - just seen your post after I posted on the ''Gareth Batty'' thread. Where does the news about Gareth stem from? Thanks.

Someone mentioned at the Oval, I can't remember who, that he was retiring from playing, but not coaching. I can't confirm it though, but I expect something will be posted on the web if it's true.

He’s already our spin bowling coach anyway, but I’m saddened he didn’t get the fanfare the others did.

RB wrote:He’s already our spin bowling coach anyway, but I’m saddened he didn’t get the fanfare the others did.

Possibly Gareth's wish for no fanfare.

You holding up and getting sufficient counselling, RB?

Still think he makes a good contribution in the T 20 competition. As Virdi doesn’t play in the T20 ,Batty will leave a big gap

It would be good for Virdi to bowl in T20 cricket - although his fielding and batting is not up to it.

I think our only way forward is to promote youth, and get them the experience they lack, to build a 4-day team that gels and starts to work as a consistent unit. So:

Patel
Geddes
Amla
Smith
Jacks
Foakes
Reifer
Clark
Atkinson
McKerr
Moriarty

with Virdi for Reifer where we can play two spinners. Virdi back to his 2018 best would be a first pick but he is not at the moment.

If we have an overseas, it could be an opening bat for Geddes or an opening bowler for Mckerr.

Steel, Worrall, Overton, Dunn, Kimber, Taylor no better than injury back-up, IMO

Surely our season is summed up by these 2 awards

Graham Kersey Team Man of the Year – Alex Tysoe/Paul Steele. Jointly won by the physios. obviously as they were over worked

Kia Bowler of the Year – Jordan Clark. I quite like Clark (I know that wont be common) BUT not sure what that says about the rest of the bowlers if he won bowler of the year

Coatesy wrote:Surely our season is summed up by these 2 awards

Graham Kersey Team Man of the Year – Alex Tysoe/Paul Steele. Jointly won by the physios. obviously as they were over worked

Kia Bowler of the Year – Jordan Clark. I quite like Clark (I know that wont be common) BUT not sure what that says about the rest of the bowlers if he won bowler of the year

Or bowling coach Richard Johnson.

I’m not sure what happened to Geoff Arnold. I credit him with much of the credit for our 2018 title win.

I spoke with Horse earlier this season. He's working for the ECB as a scout.