The Surrey team
It was a season of two halves for the Surrey Cricket team in 2007: with a poor start turning into a triumphant run-in for Alan Butcher’s squad. New team members and experienced players combined to create top-class cricket.
After some inconsistent play, Manager Alan Butcher and Captain Mark Butcher took stock and from July a new Surrey team emerged; a team starting to recreate the kind of form Surrey fans have come to expect.
Players on form
Surrey CCC’s new spin bowler Harbhajan Singh and Matt Nicholson carved out five LV Championship wins from nine matches post Twenty20. While exciting new star, 18-year-old Chris Jordan took 20 wickets in five matches, securing his future with Surrey. Mark Ramprakash continued to dominate with the bat, becoming the first player ever to finish two first class seasons with an average of over 100.
Competitions 2007
The Surrey Brown Caps were competitive in the Friends Provident Trophy, Natwest Pro40 and Twenty20 Cup but fell at the final hurdle. Defeat to Essex at Whitgift ended Surrey’s Friends Provident run and Somerset blocked the Brown Caps promotion in the NatWest Pro40. Bad weather and a defeat by the Kent Spitfires prevented Surrey from making the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals.
Looking to 2008
After 2007’s strong finish, Surrey will look to continue the impressive form in 2008. Alan Butcher has strengthened Surrey’s line-up; bringing in batting talent Usman Afzaal to replace the departing Rikki Clake and bolstering the pace bowling attack with West Indian Pedro Collins and Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif. Surrey legend, Saqlain Mushtaq, will lead up the spin department. It’s promising to be an exciting season for Surrey fans!
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