Surrey’s Assistant Coach, Nadeem Shahid, has told Surrey TV that he believes that although it was a tough season for the second eleven this year, there are number of positives that the side can take away and work on over the winter.

“The season went fairly well and overall I am pretty pleased,” commented Shahid to Surrey TV.

“When I first took up the role a couple of years ago, I wanted the side to stay competitive, although at times that can be difficult, certainly pre-university before the younger lads turn up.”

Surrey have a number of players who are on the staff with summer contracts. This type of contract means that the players are only available from half way through the season allowing them to concentrate on their academic studies, either at school or at university. However with this being the case, how does Shahid get a competitive side together?

“With the university boys not turning up until slightly later in the season, we have an opportunity to look at some players from around the circuit and some trialists from minor counties and club cricket.”

Chris Schofield is a prime example of the sort of opportunity a trialist can get at Surrey. The leg spinning all rounder took his opportunity brilliantly this year to follow up selection with England for the ICC Twenty20 Tournament with a two year contract with Surrey.

“We play these players in the second team, not just to see what they are like technically – obviously that is important – but character-wise, to see if they will fit into our dressing room. It was not easy for Chris. He had played Test cricket and had time out of the game. He had to come back and introduce himself to all the younger players. It tests anyone and he passed that test with flying colours.”

There were also a number of players who performed well for the seconds and gained recognition with a place in the first team. With the bat Stewart Walters and James Benning shone as examples and with the ball the stand-out performances came from Jade Dernbach, Neil Saker and Stuart Meaker.

“Second team cricket provides some of the pros with an opportunity to perform and push their way into the first team. Stewie Walters started really well and for that reason he played the second half of the season in the first team. It was not just the runs that he scored but also the way he scored them combined with his leadership skills.”

To see Shahid’s interview with Surrey TV in full, click here.

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