Last time England beat Windies away was in 2004, when Gareth Batty and Ricki Clarke were in the squad.
Would this be the series in which Gareth Batty scored 8 with the bat and had figures of 2-185 with the ball and all that Ricki Clarke did was carry the drinks?
There is a quiz on BBC asking if you could name the 16 players in the squad - i could only get 10. Kept thinking 2005 Ashes players must have been there but some surprising names (like the ones above!).
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Except he wouldn't. He was barely playing at Surrey in his last season and when he did it was batting 6. Since then Pope has come through and taken another spot. He wouldnt have displaced wither of our openers and we have Ryan patel who can open too. At most he would have played the 2 games Arun Harinath played in the cc last season.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
Been mad busy with a whole load of stuff going on. Should be over the worst of it now so hopefully write my usual ore season ramblings at some point this week. Will look at the squad, pre season, some messages that I've been passed on from the members forum a few weeks back etc.
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Except he wouldn't. He was barely playing at Surrey in his last season and when he did it was batting 6. Since then Pope has come through and taken another spot. He wouldnt have displaced wither of our openers and we have Ryan patel who can open too. At most he would have played the 2 games Arun Harinath played in the cc last season.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
Agree Canters. I also believe that Sibley has the potential to become an England opener. He's a natural opening bat in the old mould and once he has played himself in he's likely to get a big score. He started last season poorly, if I remember rightly but improved as the season progressed. I think he'd be good in the England set-up and probably more of a Test player than Burns or Jennings.
Warwickshire and Sibley are back in Division One this year. That can only help his cause.
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Except he wouldn't. He was barely playing at Surrey in his last season and when he did it was batting 6. Since then Pope has come through and taken another spot. He wouldnt have displaced wither of our openers and we have Ryan patel who can open too. At most he would have played the 2 games Arun Harinath played in the cc last season.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
Agree Canters. I also believe that Sibley has the potential to become an England opener. He's a natural opening bat in the old mould and once he has played himself in he's likely to get a big score. He started last season poorly, if I remember rightly but improved as the season progressed. I think he'd be good in the England set-up and probably more of a Test player than Burns or Jennings.
Warwickshire and Sibley are back in Division One this year. That can only help his cause.
Wouldn't say more of a test player than burns but certainly a better bet than Jennings and a bunch of others We have tried in the last year.
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Except he wouldn't. He was barely playing at Surrey in his last season and when he did it was batting 6. Since then Pope has come through and taken another spot. He wouldnt have displaced wither of our openers and we have Ryan patel who can open too. At most he would have played the 2 games Arun Harinath played in the cc last season.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
Stoneman averaged 33 with the bat last season in the CC. He averaged 27 playing for England.
Sibley, still 23, is over 8 years younger than Stoneman and I would be surprised if he doesn't achieve more in his career. He has a game that isn't limited to 4 day cricket - an average of 33 at 120 in T20 is decent.
Sibley has scored centuries in his last 4 matches opening the batting. Ashes bolter? Or are we set on big Jason Roy nicking off as he's not a real opener
If Sibley was still at Surrey (was the youngest player to score a double century in a CC match when playing for them) he would have had a better chance of playing in the Ashes.
Except he wouldn't. He was barely playing at Surrey in his last season and when he did it was batting 6. Since then Pope has come through and taken another spot. He wouldnt have displaced wither of our openers and we have Ryan patel who can open too. At most he would have played the 2 games Arun Harinath played in the cc last season.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
Stoneman averaged 33 with the bat last season in the CC. He averaged 27 playing for England.
Sibley, still 23, is over 8 years younger than Stoneman and I would be surprised if he doesn't achieve more in his career. He has a game that isn't limited to 4 day cricket - an average of 33 at 120 in T20 is decent.
I agree with you. I think he will have a much better career than stoneman and may well have a good international career. I've always rated him highly.
My point was that at that point in time he wasn't playing for Surrey and he likely would have played much less last season had he been at Surrey rather than Warwickshire.
Had he not have moved he woukdnt have had the same opportunities and we wpuldnt be talking about him in this way
So the season starts on Thursday with our County Championship opener against Essex. Time for my usual ramblings about what to expect this season.
The Squad is looking STROOOONGGGG this year and we have strengthened further this summer.
Ins: Liam Plunkett, Jordan Clark.
Plunkett is keen to play more red ball cricket and his white ball credentials are unquestionable. In him we have a top class performer guaranteed.
Clark is (so it appears) seen as a long term replacement for Rikki Clarke. A very good all rounder who adds some depth in the 4 day stuff but I think is seen more as a limited overs player. He is a wonderful hundred for Lancs against us a couple of years back and bowls good pace.
Elgar and Finch are back as our overseas players as before. We still have one more slot available in the T20 although I'm not sure we need it. I expect Stewie & co will see who is available after the world cup. If we could add anything to our T20 side I reckon it would be a spinning allrounder that we need the most.
Outs:
Matt Pillans
Technically Matt left before the end of last season. He was a promising player but wasn't getting the chances at Surrey.
That is some strength in depth. The thing that strikes me the most is that if everyone is available (not likely to happen to much) we are going to have international players not getting in the side! That's madness!
Possible call ups to Burns, Roy, Pope, Foakes, Sam, Tom, Plunkett and maybe even Stoneman should give everyone a chance to stake their claim. With the way the international season is ordered this year we shouldn't lose too many at once.
It certainly looks on the face of it that Meaker and Dunn are surplus to requirements. I think this is a huge shame as they are both incredibly talented bowlers whose career have been ruined by injuries. Both genuine quicks (who knows what would have happened if they played their cricket in Australia) capable of knocking someone over with raw pace. I would love for one or both of them to stake a claim for the side but I feel like they may need to move on to further their careers. A loan to a Div 2 side or struggling Div 1 side may be good for all parties.
Lineups
Championship
Burns (C) Stoneman Borthwick Roy Pope Foakes (W) Sam Curran Clarke Tom Curran Morkel Virdi
Virdi is injured so will miss the Essex game (but should be back before the next champo game) but the experienced Batty will likely come in for him. Alternatively a full time spinner may not be needed early season so Jacks could come in to add some extra batting and share spinning duties with Scott Borthwick who has bowled a lot over the winter in grade cricket in AUS.
Roy is also likely to miss out due to a tight hamstring so Elgar will come in.
Again the depth is incredible - the likes of Elgar/Patel/Jacks/Plunkett/Mckerr/Dernbach not getting in!
One Day Cup
Stoneman Roy Jacks Pope Foakes Clark Sam Tom Plunket Batty Dernbach
Looks a little bowler heavy but cant work out who to take out. Relies on Jacks being second spinner. Morkel can't get in the side!
T20
Roy Finch Jacks Pope Foakes Clark Sam Tom Plunket Batty Dernbach
Pre season
Main talking points from the tour to Dubai are the Will Jacks 100 off 25 balls in a T10 match, Ollie Pope hitting 250 int he first class match and Jamie Smith hitting a hundred and keeping exceptionally well on his first class debut. It seems that Pope is not considered back up keeper as Smith was played in every game when Foakes was unavailable. A mention for Mckerr who according to reports has bulked up a bit and was bowling fast and accurate - some think he has staked a claim for this year.
We had another warm up game against Durham MCCU. Stoneman, Borthwick and Patel all hit hundreds and TC hit 76. Unfortunately rain ruined any hopes of a full day in the field and we only managed to bowl 26 overs picking up one wicket.
Predictions
Surrey to Win the championship and One Day cup. Semi finalists of the T20
Burns to cement his spot as England opener.
Members forum
Some notes I've been passed on from a family friend who attends these things.
Development of the ground is continuing. Nothing major this year but small stuff increasing capacity by 2500 and improvements to members facilities.
13k Members - by a long way the largest in county cricket
Every international day sold out
Deliberately not named a vice captain - keep people motivated.
Continued opposition to the hundred bollocks.
ECB have not told us where to bat certain batsmen - although we have about 7 players keen to be in the top 4.
Thanks Canters. I follow from afar but am unlikely to get to any games this season as the WC is on when I'm in England, and I refuse to pay the prices they're charging. I also have the family with me and I really can't see my Thai missus and Thai/English daughter sitting through a day's cricket!
That has to be the strongest squad in the country and I feel you're right about Meaker and Dunn, who will get very little game time. I also think this will be Batty's swansong with only a few limited over games to play.......but I thought the same last year!
Surrey should win something again this year and must surely be in contention for all trophies, just need some consistency in the one dayers and T20s.
Looking forward to this season, not sure I can make my annual 4 day pilgrimage to the Oval this year, so might have to settle for a T20 or 2. Squad looking very strong, feel sorry for Meaker, injuries have really wrecked a very promising career. Great fan of Burns, not totally convinced yet that he is test class, but hope to be proved wrong. Pope is quality and should be a star this year.
I think Essex and Notts are the teams to watch out for. Essex were very good last year and with a certain knight of the realm leading the way they will be a formidable side.
Notts have recruited well and their batting looks strong. Jake ball leading with the ball and with Broad available for a number of games will have a strong attack.
Harder to tell in the one day cup and as for the slogfest no one has a clue. It's an absolute lottery where anyone can beat anyone.
I genuinely think the standard of Div 1 is going to be the best it has been for quite some time. There are some top class teams and some top class players in there. Our internationals will be available more this summer.
Whatever happens it will be a great summer for cricket. And the last before it's ruined by the 100 bollocks so let's all go and enjoy it.
Looking forward to this season, not sure I can make my annual 4 day pilgrimage to the Oval this year, so might have to settle for a T20 or 2. Squad looking very strong, feel sorry for Meaker, injuries have really wrecked a very promising career. Great fan of Burns, not totally convinced yet that he is test class, but hope to be proved wrong. Pope is quality and should be a star this year.
Yeah. Meaker isn't exactly young anymore. He did have a positive winter playing grade cricket in AUS and I believe he was called up to train with the NSW squad so I think he made a good impression. He does need to be playing cricket though and I simply cant see that happening at Surrey. Mckerr is a similar type of bowler and seems to have leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
There is nothing I want more than a fit and firing Meaker - he really is a force in all formats and a really athletic fielder and useful lower order bat. I just think a loan or move is the only way that is going to happen.
At the Oval this morning. First day of the season is always special, despite it being closer to Christmas than the summer these days. Bright but chilly.
Comments
Impressive from Morkel in that only played 10 games and presumably around half would be at the Oval Runway
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/47443218
MCC 245 all out, Surrey 20-0
McKerr and van den Bergh finished with 3-40 and 3-54 respectively.
MCC 265 all out, Surrey 389-4
Centuries for Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith, the latter on his first-class debut, as they put on 245 together.
(Apologies for the typo - MCC were 265 all out in the first innings, not 245)
MCC 265 and 221-1, Surrey 520
A century for Sibley as the MCC respond well on a favourable batting pitch to end the day trailing by 34.
Was gutted when he left as he was clearly a great talent and I was a huge fan of him. Understood it though as he didn't kick on for over 2 seasons after he first broke through then with the arrival of Stoneman/Borthwick and the emergence of Pope/Patel batting spots were limited.
Hate to say it but we haven't missed him.
Great thing about him is that ever since youth cricket when he gets a hundred it's usually a big one.
MCC reach 265-4 in their second innings before rain stops play and brings the game to a close.
Sibley, still 23, is over 8 years younger than Stoneman and I would be surprised if he doesn't achieve more in his career. He has a game that isn't limited to 4 day cricket - an average of 33 at 120 in T20 is decent.
My point was that at that point in time he wasn't playing for Surrey and he likely would have played much less last season had he been at Surrey rather than Warwickshire.
Had he not have moved he woukdnt have had the same opportunities and we wpuldnt be talking about him in this way
So the season starts on Thursday with our County Championship opener against Essex. Time for my usual ramblings about what to expect this season.
The Squad is looking STROOOONGGGG this year and we have strengthened further this summer.
Ins: Liam Plunkett, Jordan Clark.
Plunkett is keen to play more red ball cricket and his white ball credentials are unquestionable. In him we have a top class performer guaranteed.
Clark is (so it appears) seen as a long term replacement for Rikki Clarke. A very good all rounder who adds some depth in the 4 day stuff but I think is seen more as a limited overs player. He is a wonderful hundred for Lancs against us a couple of years back and bowls good pace.
Elgar and Finch are back as our overseas players as before. We still have one more slot available in the T20 although I'm not sure we need it. I expect Stewie & co will see who is available after the world cup. If we could add anything to our T20 side I reckon it would be a spinning allrounder that we need the most.
Outs:
Matt Pillans
Technically Matt left before the end of last season. He was a promising player but wasn't getting the chances at Surrey.
So the overall squad is:
Openers - Stoneman, Burns, Elgar, Harinath
Batsmen - Borthwick, Pope, Roy, Jacks, Finch (T20 only)
Keepers - Foakes , Smith
Spinners, Virdi, Batty, Van Den Bergh
All rounders - Patel, Clarke, Clark, Sam Curran
Quicks - Tom Curran, Morkel, Plunkett, Dernbach, Mckerr, Meaker, Dunn, Atkinson
Squad of 26 of which 17 are academy products.
That is some strength in depth. The thing that strikes me the most is that if everyone is available (not likely to happen to much) we are going to have international players not getting in the side! That's madness!
Possible call ups to Burns, Roy, Pope, Foakes, Sam, Tom, Plunkett and maybe even Stoneman should give everyone a chance to stake their claim. With the way the international season is ordered this year we shouldn't lose too many at once.
It certainly looks on the face of it that Meaker and Dunn are surplus to requirements. I think this is a huge shame as they are both incredibly talented bowlers whose career have been ruined by injuries. Both genuine quicks (who knows what would have happened if they played their cricket in Australia) capable of knocking someone over with raw pace. I would love for one or both of them to stake a claim for the side but I feel like they may need to move on to further their careers. A loan to a Div 2 side or struggling Div 1 side may be good for all parties.
Lineups
Championship
Burns (C)
Stoneman
Borthwick
Roy
Pope
Foakes (W)
Sam Curran
Clarke
Tom Curran
Morkel
Virdi
Virdi is injured so will miss the Essex game (but should be back before the next champo game) but the experienced Batty will likely come in for him. Alternatively a full time spinner may not be needed early season so Jacks could come in to add some extra batting and share spinning duties with Scott Borthwick who has bowled a lot over the winter in grade cricket in AUS.
Roy is also likely to miss out due to a tight hamstring so Elgar will come in.
Again the depth is incredible - the likes of Elgar/Patel/Jacks/Plunkett/Mckerr/Dernbach not getting in!
One Day Cup
Stoneman
Roy
Jacks
Pope
Foakes
Clark
Sam
Tom
Plunket
Batty
Dernbach
Looks a little bowler heavy but cant work out who to take out. Relies on Jacks being second spinner. Morkel can't get in the side!
T20
Roy
Finch
Jacks
Pope
Foakes
Clark
Sam
Tom
Plunket
Batty
Dernbach
Pre season
Main talking points from the tour to Dubai are the Will Jacks 100 off 25 balls in a T10 match, Ollie Pope hitting 250 int he first class match and Jamie Smith hitting a hundred and keeping exceptionally well on his first class debut. It seems that Pope is not considered back up keeper as Smith was played in every game when Foakes was unavailable. A mention for Mckerr who according to reports has bulked up a bit and was bowling fast and accurate - some think he has staked a claim for this year.
We had another warm up game against Durham MCCU. Stoneman, Borthwick and Patel all hit hundreds and TC hit 76. Unfortunately rain ruined any hopes of a full day in the field and we only managed to bowl 26 overs picking up one wicket.
Predictions
Surrey to Win the championship and One Day cup. Semi finalists of the T20
Burns to cement his spot as England opener.
Members forum
Some notes I've been passed on from a family friend who attends these things.
Development of the ground is continuing. Nothing major this year but small stuff increasing capacity by 2500 and improvements to members facilities.
13k Members - by a long way the largest in county cricket
Every international day sold out
Deliberately not named a vice captain - keep people motivated.
Continued opposition to the hundred bollocks.
ECB have not told us where to bat certain batsmen - although we have about 7 players keen to be in the top 4.
I think Essex and Notts are the teams to watch out for. Essex were very good last year and with a certain knight of the realm leading the way they will be a formidable side.
Notts have recruited well and their batting looks strong. Jake ball leading with the ball and with Broad available for a number of games will have a strong attack.
Harder to tell in the one day cup and as for the slogfest no one has a clue. It's an absolute lottery where anyone can beat anyone.
Whatever happens it will be a great summer for cricket. And the last before it's ruined by the 100 bollocks so let's all go and enjoy it.
Come on the rey.
Yeah. Meaker isn't exactly young anymore. He did have a positive winter playing grade cricket in AUS and I believe he was called up to train with the NSW squad so I think he made a good impression. He does need to be playing cricket though and I simply cant see that happening at Surrey. Mckerr is a similar type of bowler and seems to have leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
There is nothing I want more than a fit and firing Meaker - he really is a force in all formats and a really athletic fielder and useful lower order bat. I just think a loan or move is the only way that is going to happen.
Kent could do a hell of a lot worse.
Surrey win the toss and will bat.