Real Surrey Projekt: a slow start
Anyone doubtful about the difference in standard between the two divisions of the County Championship should take a look at the comparative performances of Sussex over the last 12 months.
Last season Sussex were relegated on a total of 143 points, having won just two of their 16 matches. So far this season, they have won 3 out of 3 and are well in control in their fourth. Granted, Sussex have strengthened their bowling attack this season, and it was badly needed, but the difference in quality is substantial.
Languishing in the nether regions of division two at present are two of the biggest counties, with magnificent facilities and plentiful resources. Both Surrey and Middlesex make big noises about progressing and gaining promotion back to division one, but both are flattering to deceive up to this point.
As everyone knows, Surrey have spent big (in county cricket terms) on recruitment, bringing in Steve Davies and Gareth Batty from Worcestershire, Rory Hamilton-Brown from Sussex as the new captain, and Chris Tremlett from Hampshire, presumably as a non-playing player.
Part of the problem for Surrey is that it puts them on a pedestal for everyone else to aim at. Not many neutrals would pick Surrey as their second county anyway, due to the aforementioned facilities and resources alloyed with the traditional English preference for the under-dog. Their pillaging of Worcestershire and prising of RH-B from Hove has meant they are the target of score-settlers and snipers everywhere. They are the team that most of division 2 will want to beat.
All this is not easy to overcome when your 22 year old captain with 8 first-class matches to his name is trying to lead a team whose senior batsman made his debut the same year that he was born. Plus the South African fast bowler with an on-field alter-ego and dodgy temper (as I write this, the ECB has announced a two match disciplinary ban for dissent). And, when the Twenty20 Cup comes around, the Australian all-rounder who has been in more hot water than a lobster in a restaurant. Then there are the plans to sign Brian Lara for the Twenty20, a retired legend who hasn’t hit a ball in anger in two years.
It’s all a bit Real Madrid, and not surprisingly they have started slowly. Being thumped by Derbyshire at home is not something to put on your CV, and then Sussex had their revenge in an equally one-sided 10-wicket beating at Hove. A high-scoring draw against a Worcestershire side devoid of it’s best players from last year was hardly earth-shattering.
They did at least manage a win against Lancashire in the opening match of the Clydesdale Bank 40. But it’s off the field that they have been making the headlines, even once the season got underway, and that’s never a good sign.
Now, R H-B might turn out to be an inspired choice by Chris Adams, and his batting certainly hasn’t let him down so far, but it’s hard to see meteoric progress happening this season. If the projekt is going to work out and take Surrey back to the top of English cricket, they will have to stick with it.
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