NEW YEAR 2011

SUPPORTERS' CLUB NEWS

BILL SNELGROVE
In January, we were all shocked to learn the tragic news that Bill Snelgrove had died from a stroke at the age of 54. Bill, who was a member of the Surrey CCC Supporters' Club and who also served on the Members' Liaison Group, died in Sydney, Australia, just a few days after witnessing England's Ashes win. Bill was a keen runner and cyclist. One year he ran the London Marathon in 2 hours 19 minutes. More recently, he would routinely cycle to the Oval, from his home in Mortlake, when Surrey were playing at home. To make up for disappointments that came from watching Surrey and Charlton Athletic in recent years, Bill followed the England cricket team overseas. He had seen England's last 70 Test matches abroad. However, we will not remember Bill for such exploits, but for being a kind, cheerful and genuinely fine human being. Our love and thoughts go out to his family.

ALSO REMEMBERED
Our deepest condolences also go out to the families of Peter Spiro, who died in November, as well as Stuart Stredwick and Michael Whitcomb, both of whom passed away in December. As some of you may know, Michael was a much valued and highly respected member of the Surrey CCC Statistics Group.

KEEN CRICKETERS WANTED

The Supporters Club's cricket team, Surrey Ovalites, offers the warmest of welcomes to new players for the 2011 season. Young bowlers especially needed, but enthusiasm is the top priority. Ovalites play friendly cricket on Sundays in South London, Surrey and Kent, with home matches at West Wickham. Are you, or is your son, interested? Contact captain Dave Evemy on 07789-927783 or daveevemy@aol.com to find out more.

SURREY COUNTY CRICKET DINING CLUB 2011

Friday 8th April - Luncheon with David Frith
Friday 6th May - Luncheon with Richard Thompson
Friday 27th May - Luncheon
Wednesday 22nd June - Luncheon
TBA - Golf Day at Sutton Green GC
Friday 8th July - Luncheon with Lord Marland of Odstock
Wednesday 20th July - Guildford Luncheon (provisional)
Wednesday 14th September - Luncheon
Friday 16th December - Christmas Luncheon

Most of the above events will take place in the John Major Room (OCS Stand, Level 2) at the Kia Oval, starting at 12.15pm for 1.00pm sit down. Members £36. Guests £38. To book your place, contact Les Brewin on 01202-296642 or 07974-282644 or, by email, at lbrewin@cwctv.net or at bookings@surreydiningclub.com.

CENTURY CLUB

The results of the final three Century Club draws of 2010, which were made at the Supporters' Club's Christmas Party at the Hanover Arms on December 20, were as follows:

10th Draw
1st - £40 - John Douglas (No.75)
2nd - £12 - Gerry McShane (No.5)
3rd - £8 - Tony Hill (No.72)

11th Draw
1st - £40 - Elizabeth Howgill (No.14)
2nd - £12 - Niven McVicar (No.111)
3rd - £8 - Michael Power (No.9)

12th Draw
1st - £200 - Arnold Long (No.78)
2nd - £25 - Barrie Hogan (No.118)
3rd - £15 - Chris Payne (No.27)

Anyone wishing to become a Century Club member can do so by sending a cheque for £36.00 (made payable to the SCCCSC Century Club) along with their details to Sarah Atkins at The Cheviots, 236 Ashbourne Road, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 2DR.

TEAM, CLUB AND OTHER NEWS

GOULD NAMED AS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE
On March 7, Surrey CCC announced that Richard Gould is to succeed Paul Sheldon as the Club's chief executive. Gould arrives from Somerset CCC, where he was chief executive for six years. Before that Gould, who is son of former Wales and Wimbledon football manager Bobby, spent several years as Commercial Director of Bristol City FC. Richard Thompson, Surrey's chairman, said of Gould: "Richard is a born leader. His term and contribution at Somerset speaks for itself. His commitment to cricket at all levels and strong commercial pedigree highlighted Richard as a standout candidate. I look forward to working with Richard and feel confident his contribution will be significant in all aspects of Surrey cricket in the years to come. I would also like to thank Andy Nash and the Somerset committee for their co-operation in managing Richard's departure in such an amicable and progressive fashion." Gould added: "Surrey CCC offers one of the biggest challenges in UK sport and I am relishing the opportunity of helping to lead the Club going forward. Surrey CCC has enormous levels of support throughout London and the country, and has done a great job over recent years transforming the Kia Oval into one of the most iconic grounds in world cricket. The next six months will be extremely busy, with a very important domestic season ahead of the Club. Surrey members and fans will be hoping the team can progress in all formats of cricket, and we will be providing whatever support is required to help deliver success."

HERNIA PUTS PIETERSEN OUT OF ACTION
The need for surgery on a hernia has forced Surrey's Kevin Pietersen out of the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League. The problem, which was discovered after the recent one-day series in Australia, will require around six weeks of recovery time, ruling Pietersen out of the IPL, in which he was due to play for the Deccan Chargers. Instead, the former Notts and Hampshire batsman will target the first Test of the summer, against Sri Lanka on May 26, for his return to action. Pietersen said: "I'm obviously extremely disappointed to have picked up this hernia injury. Representing England in a World Cup is something I've been looking forward to for the past four years. I'm also bitterly disappointed to be missing the IPL but can take comfort from the fact that I will be fit for the start of a very exciting English summer against Sri Lanka and India."

RAMPRAKASH EXTENDS
On March 4, Surrey CCC announced that Mark Ramprakash had signed a one-year extension to his current contract, keeping him at the Brit Oval until the end of the 2012 season. Ramprakash, who is currently coming back from a knee operation, expects to return to playing by late May. He said: "I am still enjoying my cricket, maintaining my fitness and am still able to score runs for Surrey, so extending my contract was a very simple decision for me." Chris Adams added: "Mark Ramprakash is the finest domestic batsman of his generation and still has a huge amount to offer Surrey County Cricket Club. To have a man with his ability, experience and energy in your dressing room is simply something that cannot be bought and I look forward to continue working with him for the next two seasons."

PAKISTAN SPOT-FIXING TRIO APPEAL BANS
Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir have filed appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the bans imposed by the International Cricket Council for spot-fixing. Butt was banned for 10 years, with five of them suspended, after being found guilty of corruption by an ICC tribunal. Mohammad Asif was handed a seven-year ban, with two of them suspended, while Amir was banned for five years. All three men have denied wrongdoing in the Fourth Test against England at Lord's last year. They were banned after the News of the World newspaper reported no-balls were bowled at specific points in England's innings after a payment was made to a businessman. The players are due to appear at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 17 to face charges of conspiracy to obtain and accept corrupt payments and conspiracy to cheat.

DAVIES REVEALS HE IS GAY
On February 28, the England and Surrey wicketkeeper Steven Davies revealed he is gay, becoming the first playing professional cricketer to so. Davies, who was part of England's successful Ashes tour, went public with the news in an interview with the Daily Telegraph. He said: "I'm comfortable with who I am - and happy to say who I am in public," Davies said. "To speak out is a massive relief for me, but if I can just help one person to deal with their sexuality then that's all I care about." Davies came out to his friends and family five years ago and confided in England coach Andy Flower ahead of the Ashes tour, with Flower and captain Andrew Strauss then letting the rest of the squad know. Davies said: "It was a fantastic thing to do, telling the lads. The difference is huge. I am so much happier. I told Andy Flower first. It was a tough thing for me to do, to tell him face-to-face, but I had to do it. He supported me 100%, him and Andrew Strauss. It was the right thing to do as I felt I couldn't live like this anymore. I didn't enjoy going on tour too much because of the secret, and the Ashes was going to be a 3½-month tour. That's a long time and I would have really struggled to finish it. My sexuality is an essential part of who I am, so I wanted the boys to know." Strauss agreed that he would tell half the squad, with Flower telling the others. Two days later, Davies met his team-mates at Lord's, where their reaction could not have been more supportive. Matt Prior, who was his rival for the wicketkeeping position and is playing that role in the World Cup, came over to give Davies a hug. Davies said: "He couldn't believe I had kept it to myself for this long. He said I should have told him. That was special." Vikram Solanki, chairman of the Professional Cricketers' Association, and Davies's former team-mate at Worcestershire said: "Steve has the full support of all his colleagues in cricket. Many of those Steve plays with and against have known about this for some time and none of them regard it as anything other than an entirely personal matter." Surrey's press release revealed that Davies's current county colleagues were already fully aware of his sexuality.

SURREY HOPEFUL OF RETAINING WATERS DESPITE EPC DECISION
On February 28, Surrey CCC announced that after consultation with the Professional Cricketers Association, the Club will not be issuing any Emerging Players Contracts for the 2011 season. The scheme was originally introduced in 2010 to give Surrey the ability to enter into short-term contracts with young players who were on the fringe of the first team and regularly involved at Second XI level, but EPCs have been discontinued after objections were received from the PCA. One player who was on an EPC last summer is opening batsman Seren Waters, who is currently representing Kenya in the ICC World Cup. He was not offered a professional contract at the end of the season but, subject to agreement with the player, it is still the Surrey's intention to register him for the 2011 domestic season.

PAUL SHELDON TO STAND DOWN
Paul Sheldon announced that he will be standing down as the Chief Executive Officer of Surrey CCC. He will leave the Club at the end of March 2011. Commenting on the decision, On February 25, Sheldon issued a statement in which he said: "I have stood down because I believe I have taken the Club as far as I can, and that now is the right time to hand over the reins. I am very proud of what we have achieved at the Club over the last fifteen years. Most especially, I remember the winning era of the great Adam Hollioake side; the building of the iconic OCS Stand and the historic Ashes winning years of 2005 and 2009. It has been a privilege to have served as Chief Executive of one of the greatest cricket clubs in the world and to have worked with so many talented people both inside and outside the Club. Many of them have become good friends along the way. I have been deeply fortunate to have been guided by Michael Soper and David Stewart as chairmen - both of whom were a phenomenal force for good in the Club's development. When I formally leave at the end of March, I will be wishing Richard Thompson and everyone connected with the Club - particularly the players - the very best of fortune in the years to come." Richard Thompson, Surrey's chairman said: "Paul's service to the Club, from running our 150th celebrations in 1995, to then becoming our Chief Executive shortly afterwards has been outstanding. Both on and off the field, Paul leaves a tremendous legacy and many enduring friendships. Paul will always be part of the Surrey family."

DERNBACH HOT IN THE CARIBBEAN
Surrey's Jade Dernbach has put in some eye-catching performances on the England Lions tour of the West Indies, taking 17 wickets at an average of 15.94 in the tourists' first three outings in the WICB's regional four-day competition. The 24-year-old seamer claimed 2-87 and 5-16 in the victory by an innings over the Leeward Islands at Warner Park in St.Kitts, 5-84 in the draw with Barbados in Bridgetown and 4-44 and 1-40 against Trinidad & Tobago at Queens Park in Trinidad, which also ended with honours even. The Lions are due to complete their tour of the Caribbean on March 27.

PIETERSEN REFUTES REPORTS OF ODI RETIREMENT
Surrey's Kevin Pietersen denied a report in the Daily Mail (February 11) that he is set to retire from one-day international cricket after the ICC Cricket World Cup. He wrote on his Twitter account: "Just to set the record straight... I have NO intention of retiring from ODIs after the World Cup!"

LINLEY SIGNS TWO-YEAR EXTENSION
On February 8, Surrey CCC announced that 28-year-old seam bowler. Tim Linley had signed a new two-year deal. Linley, who suffered a freak foot injury at Chesterfield which sidelined him for a large part of last season, immediately after he had recorded figures of 4-13 against Derbyshire, said: "Signing on for two years at Surrey is the culmination of a huge amount of hard work and is a very rewarding feeling. Surrey is a massive club moving in the right direction and I am very excited to be a part of it for the next two seasons." Professional Cricket Manager, Chris Adams added: "I can't think of many that have worked harder to get a deal and make a professional career than Tim Linley. He absolutely deserves everything. Often the part you don't see as a supporter or a member is what a player brings into a dressing room. Tim is a fantastic team man, is good to have around and brings a great deal to the squad."

CONWAY APPOINTED HEAD PHYSIO
The former England physio, Dean Conway has been appointed Surrey's new Head of Physiotherapy. Conway, who formed part of the England set-up between 1998 and 2007, will lead the physiotherapy and medical operation at Surrey for the next three years, offering support to Team Physio Alex Tysoe and Strength and Conditioning Coach Ashley Wright, who will continue in their current roles. On February 1, Surrey's professional cricket manager Chris Adams was quoted as saying: "When I first arrived at Surrey one of main priorities was to improve the medical and physiotherapy operation at the Club. Although we had already made fantastic progress, the addition of Dean Conway to that team will complete the process brilliantly. As his experience shows, Dean is one of the top operators in his field and will add another element to our work in this area. I would also like to pay tribute to Judith Pitt-Brooke, who led the department excellently throughout 2010."

DUNN IMPRESSES FOR ENGLAND U19
Surrey fast bowler Matthew Dunn, 18, signed off England U19's recent tour of Sri Lanka in some style. Having not been overlooked for the two four-day Test matches, Dunn was second to Somerset's Lewis Gregory, in terms of the leading wicket-taker in the four-match one-day series, with 8 ODI victims at an average of 20.75 runs apiece. Unfortunately, the tourists lost the series 2-1.

PATTERSON TAKES OVER FROM GORDON
Surrey have announced that Scott Patterson will succeed Bill Gordon as Head Groundsman at the Kia Oval. Patterson, 31, has been with the Club since 2007 after gaining previous experience at Shenley CC, Horsham CC, Arsenal FC and Merchant Taylor's School. In his new position he will run the team of groundsmen at the Kia Oval and continue to work alongside his predecessor, Bill Gordon, who will remain at the Club to offer him specialist support in all areas. Patterson said: "It is a great honour to become Head Groundsman at such an incredible ground as the Kia Oval and I am very much looking forward to continuing to prepare for the new season. "I would also like to take this chance to thank Bill Gordon for teaching me so well over the last four seasons. He is one of the top groundsmen in the world today and learning from him has been an amazing experience."

SURREY SIGN ARAFAT AS OVERSEAS FOR 2011
On January 26, Surrey CCC announced the signing of Pakistan all-rounder Yasir Arafat as an overseas player. Arafat, 28, will join up with the Oval outfit in early April and be available for all three competitions for the entirety of the 2011 campaign, complementing Australia's Shaun Tait in the FPt20. It will be Arafat's eighth season in county cricket having previously represented Scotland, Sussex and Kent. In Twenty20, he is the third leading wicket-taker of all time with 108 victims from 89 appearances. In the first-class arena he averages 23.58 with the ball and 26.74 with the bat. Yasir Arafat said: "I am delighted to have the chance to play for Surrey next season and look forward to working with Chris Adams again." Adams added: "Signing a player like Yasir Arafat will give us the stability that we have searched for in our overseas signing. I have spent much of the winter searching for that elusive spin option to complement the squad but have been unable to find a suitable option. Having also factored in Chris Tremlett's emergence as a quality Test bowler I have opted for a different approach. We have not got the overseas position right now for some years at Surrey, but in Yasir I believe we have a very solid performer and very rounded individual who will add quality to the squad in all forms of the game."

TOM MAYNARD QUITS GLAMORGAN TO WIN THINGS AT SURREY
Tom Maynard has joined Surrey from Glamorgan on a three-year contract. Maynard, 21, who is regarded as one of the most promising batsmen in the country, has already made 93 appearances in county cricket, hitting one-day hundreds against Northants in 2009 and Lancashire last term. Speaking to the South Wales Argus (January 20), Maynard said: "It was a massive decision to leave Glamorgan and something that I have taken a lot of time over. I had to really make sure in my mind that it was the right move. It was unfortunate that I had to leave in bad circumstances, but I couldn't have picked a better place to further my career and take my game to the next level. I've come to win things, that's what I want to do. I want to play in a team full of winners and a team that can win trophies." Surrey's professional cricket manager, Chris Adams added: "Once we received permission from Glamorgan to speak to Tom, it became clear that Surrey was his preferred destination. He has been attracted here by a number of factors including the wicket at the Kia Oval and the fantastic history of the Club. But most of all he had a sense of wanting to be at Surrey through what will be a very exciting time here. We were on the receiving end of what he is capable of last season and although this was not a signing we had planned for, it was an opportunity that was too good not to take and I am delighted that Tom is adding further depth to what is looking like a very strong squad."

TAIT ON BOARD FOR THE T20
On January 13, Surrey CCC announced the signing of Australia's Shaun Tait as an overseas player for this summer's FPt20 competition. Tait, 27, who is widely regarded as the fastest bowler in the world, will join up with the Surrey Lions shortly before their first FPt20 match, against Gloucestershire Gladiators at the Kia Oval, at the beginning of June and be will be available for the duration of the competition, including the quarter-finals and Finals Day should Rory Hamilton-Brown's side progress to the knockout phase. With 81 wickets at an average of 19.81 in 58 appearances, Tait is amongst the leading wicket takers in Twenty20 history. He said: "This is a pretty exciting move for me. I've a bit of unfinished business in county cricket and I'll be giving it my all for Surrey this year. I always strive to take wickets and love being part of a close-knit team. Some good reports about how Surrey are shaping up for 2011 have been filtering through so I'm confident that the team can go a few steps further this year in the FPt20. Finals Day is something I really want to be involved in."

ADAMS SALUTES TREMLETT
Surrey's manager, Chris Adams hailed the dedication of a "streamlined" Chris Tremlett after the paceman played a major role in England retaining the Ashes for the first time in 24 years. Tremlett was selected for the trip down under on the back of an outstanding first season at the Oval that saw him take 48 first-class wickets. Adams said: "When we first got him (at Surrey) we felt he had the quality and was ready to get back into the England set-up. We sat down with Chris and we looked at making some minor changes to his make-up and preparations as a bowler. Now he can bowl one or two long spells and he is able to back that up." Tremlett, who won his previous Test caps in 2007, had been regarded by some as being too soft to succeed in the intense atmosphere of the game's highest level, with Shane Warne revealing his frustration at the bowler's lack of aggression when the two of them played for Hampshire. But Adams has praised the way Tremlett has accepted the responsibility of leading the Surrey attack and the leading role he has played in team meetings. Adams said: "We sat him down and we told him we wanted him take responsibility. We got him to play a lead role in our planning sessions. We talked about how we, not just himself, were going to bowl out our opponents. We felt that maybe previously he would have been happy to sit in the background and let other guys do the talking, but we wanted to tap into what is a great cricket brain and he has been excellent since we have had him and we are delighted to see him prove it at the highest level." While Adams and Surrey have received praise for the work they have done with Tremlett, his county chief is keen to point out that the player is the man who had produced the performances. Adams said: "You never know how guys will play as there is so much pressure involved in playing Test cricket, but he has really stepped up and performed and he really looks like a Test bowler now. He has made a great move forward and hopefully he can now become a regular in this England side. There are very few spaces for bowlers in Test cricket and you need to stand tall to stand out, and Chris has done that."

ANSARI AND JEWELL HANDED PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS
On December 17, academy players Zafar Ansari and Tom Jewell were handed professional contracts with Surrey. Jewell signed a two-year deal while left-handed-batsman Ansari has been given a two-year summer contract, while he continues his studies at Cambridge University. Both players have been involved in age-group cricket at Surrey and are the latest products of the academy to achieve professional status after Rory Burns, Matthew Dunn, Tom Lancefield and Jason Roy all signed deals recently. Ansari, who is also an accomplished musician, was delighted at the chance of furthering his career and thinks the deal works perfectly with his university life. He said: "I've been with Surrey since I was nine, so get a contract with the club you've played at all your life is fantastic. The summer contract is brilliant because it gives me the opportunity to work during term time but combine with playing up there and then for Surrey when I get back down here." Tom Jewell added: "I'm absolutely delighted, finally all the hard work at the academy has paid off. I've had a taste of first team action and it's let me know where I need to be to be able to get in the four-day side and stay there."

ECB NAME NEW FIRST-CLASS UMPIRES
On December 13, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the appointments of Steve Gale and Steve O'Shaughnessy to the first-class umpires' list for 2011; following the retirements of Barry Dudleston and Vanburn Holder last season. Steve O'Shaughnessy, who played for Lancashire and Worcestershire between 1980 and 1989, and has been umpiring since 2007, said: "I am thrilled to be given this promotion and am looking forward to having the chance to further my career as an ECB official." Steve Gale, who has spent three seasons on the reserve list, represented Shropshire in Minor Counties cricket between 1975 and 1987. In addition, three new umpires have been added to the first-class reserve list for 2011 - Alex Wharf, Billy Taylor and Russell Evans. Wharf and Taylor retired from first-class cricket at the end of the 2009 season. Evans, who was formerly on Nottinghamshire's books, made seven first-class appearances as a player between 1987 and 1994.

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT SUFFERS FURTHER DELAY
The Surrey Advertiser (December 10) has revealed that the £35m development at the Kia Oval has been put back yet again. Surrey had hoped demolition work would start early in the New Year, with the Lock and Laker Stands making way for four-star hotel - built and paid for by Arora International - plus an additional 2,000 extra seats. If the project is to be completed in time for the Ashes Test at the Oval in 2013 work would need to begin this autumn.

SURREY PART COMPANY WITH STEWART WALTERS
The very same Surrey Advertiser article was the first to reveal that Stewart Walters and Surrey CCC had settled the final year of the 27-year-old's contract by mutual agreement. Walters, who spent six seasons with the Oval outfit, first came to prominence in 2005 after arriving from Australia to play for Malden Wanderers. Armed with an English passport, he quickly made an impression for Surrey's second eleven. Four years later, Walters appeared to have made the jump to first-class cricket when, having been made acting captain by manager Chris Adams following the mid-season retirement of Mark Butcher through injury, he hit hit championship hundreds in as many matches. Walters made a total of 34 first-class appearances for Surrey. In 45 List A outings for the Lions he notched up exactly 1,000 runs, including six half-centuries, at a creditable average of 28.57.

LIONS CAPTURE DE BRUYN
On December 3, Surrey announced the signing of Zander de Bruyn on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old South African, who qualifies as a Kolpak player, but who is just a year away from obtaining a British passport, joins the Lions from Somerset. De Bruyn said: "I'm obviously excited and looking forward to the new challenge, especially getting a chance to play regularly at a Test ground with the quality players that they have in the squad. I'll work hard to help get Surrey up into the first division where they belong. I get the feeling that 2011 will be a great year." His new skipper, Rory Hamilton-Brown added: "We have a really exciting and very young squad at the moment, so adding someone of the quality and experience of Zander de Bruyn was an absolute must. It's really exciting to have someone like him coming into the club and being with us all season. His presence will also play a huge part in helping our younger players learn, just by watching someone of his class going about his day to day business." Surrey's professional cricket manager Chris Adams welcomed the arrival of de Bruyn in the light of the knee injury that could see Mark Ramprakash miss the start of next season. Adams said: "With the recent injury to Mark Ramprakash, making his situation relatively unclear for the start of next season, it was vital we had an experienced batsman to turn to and provide a steady hand and this gives us exactly that." De Bruyn scored 2,497 first-class runs at an average of 38.41 in three seasons at Taunton. But in List A cricket he was even more impressive, scoring 1,656 runs, including three hundreds, at an average of 53.41 for the Sabres.

KIA SPONSORS SURREY
Surrey CCC announced international car manufacturer, Kia as the lead team sponsor. The firm, which has signed a five-year deal - worth over £3.5m - will have full and exclusive naming rights to the historic Oval cricket ground. The tie-up is Kia's first entrance into the cricket market; the company currently has worldwide commercial partnerships with the FIFA World Cup and Australian Tennis Open. On December 2, Paul Sheldon, Surrey's chief executive, was quoted as saying: "To sign a deal with a leading International brand such as Kia is a fantastic boost to the Club. It is also hugely beneficial as this allows us to plan for the future - both financially and on the field - with certainty. I have great confidence that our partnership has a long and strong future ahead of it. I would also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Brit Insurance, which had been our lead sponsor since 2004. Throughout this time they have been a great support and I am delighted they are still a major supporter of our sport." Kia's UK managing director, Michael Cole said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for us to put our brand right at the heart of England's favourite summer sport and in front of an enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable audience. We are delighted to be linked with such an iconic location as The Oval - it is rightly famous around the world - and as our UK headquarters are in Weybridge it is a privilege to be so closely linked with Surrey County Cricket Club."

BANSTEAD DUO PEN PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTS
On December 1, Surrey CCC announced that Pemberton Greenish Academy graduates Tom Lancefield and Rory Burns, both of whom are 20 and play their club cricket for Banstead, had signed their first professional contracts with the Club. Lancefield, who has been handed a one-year deal after impressing at the top of the Lions' batting order in 2010, said: "I feel really privileged to have signed a professional contract with Surrey. I had a great year in 2010 and am looking forward to carrying on improving and establishing myself in all forms of the game." Burns has penned a two-year contract, which means the former MCC Universities' stumper - who attracted interest from a number of first-class counties after being awarded the 2010 Walter Lawrence Trophy, in honour of the 230 he scored for against Oxford MCCU last April - will have to defer his degree course at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff. Burns said: "It feels like I've earned this contract and I am keen to prove myself at Surrey, which is where I want to play my cricket. I am now looking forward to knuckling down and getting myself in the first team. I would also like to thank the MCC Universities scheme, which offered me great exposure to some high class cricket last year and really aided my development to this level." Surrey's professional cricket manager, Chris Adams added: "I am confident that both Tom and Rory will prove to be excellent additions to our squad. Both have been involved with Surrey for over a decade in different youth teams, so for them to simultaneously graduate into our professional squad says a great deal about the strength of coaching ability we have throughout our set-up."

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