SEPTEMBER 2009

1)  In place of Fred Titmus please read Gus Mackay and Chris Adams.

2)  Even in their first season, great managers would make their mark in improving the team.

3)  Leicestershire are opening their one-day batting with James Benning, where he has had considerable success in the past. Benning opening the one-day batting, should have been one of the first things cast in stone at the start of Surrey's season.

4)  It was pretty obvious at the start of the season that it was unlikely that the captain would recover from his injury. He had to play, we understand, for his leadership skills. It would have probably been better if Chris Adams had been prepared to come in and lead on those occasions. An overseas player as captain for the whole of 2009 would have been a great idea. Though, I realise with the growth of the IPL, there would be precious few options. The captaincy does seem to have done a bit of a Strauss on Stewart Walters and his contribution with the bat has improved.

5)  With retirement, injury and transfer of players, there are always going to be opportunities to see all members of the squad but it is important to remain totally competitive. After a depressing first half of the season, the team for the first Pro 40 game at Guildford was designed to easily lose the game.

6)  Surrey deserve to be congratulated on the way the Test match was staged. The ground looked a picture and it can now hold 23,000. Let's hope for something even better, when the hotel etc., are built. I went on the Saturday and there was hardly an empty seat at 11.30am - even mine was occupied! The pitch was prepared for a result and produced a memorable game. The crowd's response at all times was perfect.

7)  We need pitches like that for championship games. Chris Adams recommended playing two spinners, which was right given the way the pitch played. However, Panesar is now so ineffectual and Harmison, the one who would have been dropped, played such an important part it the end that the right team was picked. I'm surprised Australia did not make more and earlier use of Clarke and Katich, who have both had some success in the past.

8)  It is unfortunate for the balance of Surrey's championship team that Chris Schofield is so effective with the bat, but having no impact with the ball.

9)  At least Surrey are playing five bowlers. Some teams, like Notts, only seem to be playing four bowlers. There are more draws than in three-day cricket and games will be getting as boring as in the 1960's. Teams now seem to be afraid to lose, as they don't want to give the other team points. When four-day cricket first came in the team batting first would make loads of runs and then bowl the other team out twice. The second part of this equation is no longer happening. How about reverting back to an idea from the 1960's - a first innings of 65 overs per side, four points for first innings lead, four points for the draw and 12 points for a win. No bonus points.

10)  It was nice to see an even battle between bat and ball in the Test series, with the highest score only being 161. I can't remember who made it, though more likely someone from the losing side in the series!

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