Kemar Roach keen on Surrey CCC return next season

Kemar Roach says he would jump at the chance to play for Surrey, should the opportunity arise again in the future.

The West Indies fast bowler’s stint as overseas player ended with him taking 4-61 and 5-86 in Surrey’s rain-affected draw with Middlesex, which leaves the Oval outfit sitting fourth in Group 2 of the County Championship.

Having dominated the derby, Surrey attempted to engineer a much-needed victory by setting Middlesex 290 to win in just over two sessions.

But Nick Gubbins and Peter Handscomb’s 172-run stand in 33 overs for the North Londoners’ third wicket came close to stealing victory, from being reduced to 47-2.

“Obviously, it was a brave decision to declare before lunch and get Middlesex in and try to win it,” said Roach, who took his wicket tally to 22 at an average of 20.54 in five appearances for the South Londoners.

“The plan was very simple, to take 10 wickets. But the ball didn’t do as much as it did in the first innings. I found it pretty hard to get going, but kudos to Gubbins and Handscomb. They played really well and put us under pressure.

“I was surprised. It was overcast conditions and the ball was shined up very nicely, but it just didn’t do anything. The pitch was kind of slow too. It was easy to bat on, so we found it tough to get wickets on the last day.

“But the guys held their nerve and we came away with a draw, which was a win for us given the situation we were in.”

Roach also paid tribute to his skipper Rory Burns, who joins England’s Test squad on the back of hitting 64 and 104 not out against Middlesex.

“He was in great nick by the time I got here,” said Roach. “He’s been getting out pretty unlucky, but it’s good to get a hundred going into the Test series against New Zealand.

“Hopefully, he starts and I’m looking forward to him carrying on and getting a lot more hundreds for England, and obviously for Surrey. So, well played to him. Well played to Mark Stoneman as well. They gave us a very good start at the top and set the foundation.”

Looking back on his brief time at the Oval, Roach said: “I have loved every minute. It’s been amazing. Alec Stewart, the coaching staff, the players, everyone has made it extremely comfortable for me. I can’t say enough to thank them.

“Hopefully, I’ll be back again next season. I’m definitely willing and able to come back and perform again for Surrey and let’s try to win the County Championship.

“It’s been great. Sorry I have to go, but international duty calls, so it’s back to work again for the West Indies.”

South East Stars head coach Johann Myburgh has named his 19-strong women’s squad for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – which gets underway on Monday (31 May) – and the regional T20 competitions.

The squad includes 11 Surrey players and six from Kent. England seamer Tash Farrant, who has been confirmed as captain, is one of five full-time professionals – the others being Aylish Cranstone, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley and Bryony Smith.

But the rising star is 16-year-old Alice Capsey, who picked up where she left off in 2020 with an impressive 74 off 65 balls in last weekend’s friendly against Southern Vipers at Beckenham.

The Stars’ Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener, also at Beckenham, will be against Southern Vipers on Bank Holiday Monday, starting at 10:30.

There will be no ticketing for the South East Stars fixtures.

To comply with track and trace protocols, details will be taken on entry to the venues and specific seating areas will be set aside, where social distancing will need to be complied with.

On entry, spectators will be asked to ‘scan-in’ via a QR code and, if that isn’t possible, personal details will be collected.

All of South East Stars’ home fixtures will be free for spectators. Matches will also be streamed live on Surrey’s YouTube channel.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD