Having not done my column for a little while (for one reason or another!), it might be worth starting by getting you up to speed on Surrey’s progress over the last few weeks.
After making it to the T20 Finals Day, we won our semi-final but were then bitterly disappointed to lose the final against Northamptonshire.
Once that was finished, it was a question of looking towards our last six games of the season in the County Championship. We set ourselves the target of winning three of them and — having played half — have won one from three.
That leaves our survival chances very much in our hands and today we were in Taunton to play Somerset in arguably the biggest game of the Championship season so far.
Although there might be an extra little bit on it after what happened earlier this season in the T20 quarter-final against them [Surrey won by three wickets], you would always expect a hostile crowd at Taunton.
Having said that, this time it’s likely to be hostile and then some! We know what to expect, though, and have to put it to one side — this week is all about getting the win for Surrey.
Like us, Somerset are fighting against the drop and, given that both teams need a win, we can hazard a guess it will be a result pitch.
Knowing that, it will be all about how we are able to set up the game in the first innings. You need to start any game of four-day cricket fast and well but when the pitch has been designed to create a result, it’s doubly important.
Since I last wrote this column, we’ve been able to secure the services of South Africa Test batsman Hashim Amla until the end of the season. In the three games he’s played for us so far, he’s certainly shown why he’s No1 in the world.
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You don’t need me to tell you about his class with the bat but, as a bloke, he’s absolutely second to none. In Graeme Smith and Ricky Ponting we’ve been very privileged so far this season with our overseas players and Hash is straight out of their mould.
If he knows it will help either you or the team out, nothing is too much trouble for him — and to have a character like that in the dressing room who is also a world-class performer is unbelievably valuable.
Our skipper Graeme Smith is now well on the road to recovery and was yesterday selected in the South Africa squad to play Pakistan next month. Everyone at Surrey is really happy for him and hopes his recovery continues very well.
To enter the ballot to buy tickets for next year’s Investec Test Match against India at the Kia Oval, please visit kiaoval.com/ballot
