www.ovalworld-online.com/itsasurreything.htm VOLUME.28 ISSUE NUMBER.3 START OF THE SEASON 2015 EDITED BY MARCUS HOOK PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ARE PURELY PERSONAL OPINIONS. ANY CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING 'OVAL WORLD' SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO MARCUS HOOK AT FLAT 1, 67 BIRDHURST RISE, SOUTH CROYDON, SURREY, CR2 7EJ or E-MAIL [email protected] FIRST INNINGS - THE HOLY GRAIL by Marcus Hook Surrey may only be two matches into the new season, however it's already clear that climbing out of Division Two of the County Championship will be far from easy. The alliance of the number one batsman in the world, a resurgent Steven Davies and the new found consistency of Rory Burns, sees Surrey's batting in fine fettle. But whereas batsmen (especially those capable of saving a match) are worth their weight in gold in Division One, the best guarantee of promotion in Division Two is bowling sides out twice. Surrey have taken twenty wickets in just ten of their last 47 championship matches. The Essex game underlined that without an overseas fast bowler, experienced England qualified bowlers or both, the holy grail of 20 wickets will be hard to come by; and even harder on surfaces such as the one Glamorgan served up for Surrey's championship curtain-raiser. Given that you need to win a fair proportion of your matches to finish in the top two of the second division, playing on spicy 'result' pitches is a definite advantage. It's a difficult one because if Surrey see themselves challenging for the championship title in a few years time, taking cheap wickets on helpful surfaces will not prepare the likes of Tom Curran and Matt Dunn for bowling to the best batsmen in the country. But, at the same time, there is no point planning for life in the top flight if you never get to experience it. These days, there seems to be a shortage of surfaces that reward bat and ball in equal measure. The presence of Kumar Sangakkara and, dare I say, Kevin Pietersen, could well force counties to prepare flat 'high bonus point draw' pitches when Surrey come to town this season. Curran and Dunn, abetted by Zafar Ansari's left-arm spin, plugged away manfully against Essex, but the absence of three of our proven purveyors of seam and spin - Chris Tremlett (hamstring), Jade Dernbach (side strain) and Gareth Batty (calf) - could not have been more apparent. Nevertheless, I was somewhat aggrieved so see Essex enjoy four century partnerships en route to making 610 for eight declared, not to mention a little perturbed when they proceeded to lose to Gloucestershire by a thumping nine wickets a week later - the Gloucestershire that were 25-1 to win Division Two at the started of the season. One of the keys to winning promotion this season will be having eight rain-free days against Gloucestershire, Kent and Leicestershire. The forthcoming Leicestershire game really is a must win. It was sad to see Jonathan Trott bow out of international cricket in the manner he did, with five single figure scores in six innings, including three ducks, in the West Indies. But, having spent so long out of the England team, albeit in Division One, it was sadly predictable. Still, it frees up a batting place for Kevin Pietersen, assuming Mooen Ali moves up to open. However, KP is yet to make a convincing case for a recall. Perhaps there are parallels with Trott. After all, Pietersen has played precious little first-class cricket in the last twelve months. KP seems set on playing for England sooner rather than later, but maybe it would be wiser to play the long game. England’s performance in Barbados, coming, as it did, hot on the heels of the debacle of the World Cup, has left the whole set-up in turmoil. The captain is having a pop at the incoming chairman, Colin Graves. The ECB's director of cricket Paul Downton has been sacked (not that anyone has really noticed). His successor is yet to be appointed. Furthermore, rumours persist regarding the future of Peter Moores, who appears to be holding on to the manager's job by a thread. If Trott struggled against a mediocre West Indies team (there are few things on which I seem to agree with Graves, but, whichever way you cut it, the Windies are mediocre), Pietersen might do well to avoid the approaching tsunami that is Johnson, Starc and the Australians. It will be fascinating to see how it all plays out. SUPPORTERS' CLUB NEWS REMEMBERED - GERRY BRAZIER We are sad to have to report the death of Gerry Brazier, who passed away in January. Gerry was such a kind and gentle man; not only a regular, along with his wife, on the away coaches, but a great supporter of the Supporters' Club. Indeed, Gerry was the first Century Club winner of the "big" quarterly draw, back in 1994. The SCCCSC extends its heartfelt condolences to the Brazier family at this distressing and difficult time. MEMBERSHIP 2015 A membership renewal form has been enclosed for your completion. The annual subscription rates are unchanged at £6.00 for full members, £4.00 for senior citizens and £1.00 for juniors. Subs, along with a note of your current address, should be sent Chris Payne, either BY POST: 105 Milborough Crescent, Lee, London SE12 0RP, or ONLINE: [email protected], confirming that you have made a transfer to Account Number: 15788860 Sort Code: 30-65-38. STEWART TAKES OVER THE PRESIDENCY Alec Stewart has kindly agreed to be the Supporters' Club's new President. Stewart, who succeeds Betty Surridge, who sadly passed away in 2013, had the following message: "I'm pleased to be able to accept the role as President of the Surrey CCC Supporters Club. Please pass on my thanks to all your members. Looking forward to the season ahead. Best wishes, Alec." LEICESTER SOCIAL: 8TH JUNE This summer, the Supporters Club will be having two "away socials", the first being on the Monday of the championship game at Leicester and the second at Colchester, on August 8. The aim is to not only bring together likeminded followers of the 'rey, but also to give those thinking of attending a Surrey away game added incentive to do so. We will therefore be meeting, initially, in The Cricketers, right next to the ground at Leicester, after play on 8th June. Monday night is Quiz Night, if you're interested. But, unfortunately, there will be no food service. We are therefore looking at meeting up later for a curry (for "when in Rome" read "when in Leicester"). The three Indian restaurants we have been recommended are: • Agra Fine Dining, 63 London Road, LE2 0PE (Tel: 0116 254 2657) • Jamal Balti House, 4 Narborough Road, LE3 0BQ (Tel: 0116 254 4355) • Spicy Haandi, 144 Walnut Street, LE2 7GR (Tel: 0116 255 3031) If you're wondering where to stay, here are a few hotels, recommended by our members in terms of value for money and location: • Abinger Guest House, 175 Hinckley Road, LE3 0TF (Tel: 0116 255 4674) • Holiday Inn Express Leicester City, Filbert Way, Raw Dykes Road, LE2 7FL (Tel: 0116 249 4590) • Premier Inn Leicester Fosse Park, Braunstone Lane East, LE3 2FW (Tel: 0871 527 8588) MICKY STEWART ROOM This season Surrey CCC have, once again, kindly allowed the Supporters' Club use of the Micky Stewart Room as a haven on home match days at the Kia Oval, not just when it's cold, but if SCCCSC members need to get out of the sun. The Micky Stewart Room is situated on the fourth floor of the Main Pavilion. OVAL WORLD FANTASY LEAGUE 2015 Thanks to everyone who submitted squads for this year, with an eye on having their membership of Surrey CCC in 2016 paid for. The fortunes of all the teams can be tracked by going to: www.ovalworld- online.com/fant.htm. OVAL WORLD BY EMAIL? By way of a reminder, if you would prefer to receive this newsletter by email (as a .pdf document), instead of having it sent to you by post, as well as regular updates on what the Supporters' Club is up to simply inform Marcus Hook at [email protected]. CENTURY CLUB When the forerunner to the Surrey CCC Supporters' Club - the Surrey Supporters' Association - was formed 37 years ago, few would have reckoned on it still being around today. Similarly, when, in 1994, we decided to add another string to our bow by setting out to raise money for Surrey CCC's Schools Winter Coaching Programme, most people would have said it was showing uncustomary optimism for a group of Surrey fans to anticipate keeping it going. But that is precisely what the Supporters' Club has done. To date, we have raised over £58,500. Who knows how many youngsters have gone on to play club or even county cricket as a result. If nothing else, it must have established a bond with Surrey amongst tomorrow's cricket-following public. The vast majority of the Supporters' Club's annual fundraising target is generated by the Century Club, which anyone can join for just £3 per remaining month. The Century Club is so called because the original aim was to attract 100 members. So far, 96 have signed up for 2015, but we won't be holding ourselves to any ceiling. Prizemoney is linked directly to the number of people participating. Anyone wishing to become a Century Club member for the seven draws, May to December, can do so by sending a cheque for £21, made payable to 'Century Club (SCCCSC)', along with their details to Jean Galsworthy at [email protected] January February £40 Mike Keogh (7) £40 Chris Payne (27) £20 Rod Burridge (74) £20 Doug Minde (106) £10 Doug Minde (106) £10 Bill Bateman (31) £10 David Seymour (39) £10 Rob Boney (77) March April £200 Jerry Lodge (19) £40 Bill Bateman (31) £40 Matt Tizzard (38) £20 Tricia Garrard ( £20 Rob Boney (77) £10 A.J.K.Gray (14) £10 Philip Giles (44) £10 Edward Handley (73) TEAM, CLUB AND OTHER NEWS FORDHAM APPOINTMENT POINTS TO T20 OVERHAUL The ECB have recruited one of the leading figures involved in setting up two major franchise cricket tournaments, thus hinting that a restructuring of county Twenty20 cricket is on the cards.