Only a few weeks ahead of the squad reporting for pre-season training, Mark Butcher has said that he is not expecting huge things from Surrey’s young superstar, Chris Jordan.

In an exclusive interview with Surrey TV, Butcher was very wary of placing too much pressure on the young shoulders of Jordan, suggesting that he was just looking “for him to go out with the same kind of attitude to cricket that he did” last season.

At just 18 years of age, Jordan burst onto the first class scene for Surrey towards the end of last season and in just five LV County Championship matches picked up 20 wickets. With returns like that, it would be difficult not to expect great things from the obviously talented youngster, particularly having spent the winter training hard in Australia.

“There was terrific pressure in those last six or seven games and for a young guy, who has just come in, to play with such a cool head and such enjoyment in the circumstances was incredible and showed the skills that he has. I will be looking for more of the same.”

Other news within the Surrey camp is that last year’s overseas player Matthew Nicholson is returning for the start of the season, replacing Mohammad Asif.

Butcher said: “I am very happy…his relative age in cricketing terms means that he has played very few first class matches and he does not have an enormous amount of miles on the clock.”

There was a noticeable difference in the side as Nicholson, Jordan and Harbhajan Singh seemed to rejuvenate the side in the latter half of last season.

“He does have a tremendous competitive spirit and a great experience of playing tough cricket in Australia, so he is a great guy to have.”

Butcher also commented on the return of Saqlain Mushtaq to Surrey. Mushtaq played a huge part in Surrey’s glory days which saw them win three County Championships in four years.

“He is back where he feels is his cricketing home and he is going to be back winning games for us I hope.”

Mushtaq has spoken to Surrey TV recently and the work that he is putting in in the build up to the start of the season is evident for all to see.

“He has been in everyday still working at new deliveries and working like a 16 year-old on his bowling.

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