Author: Marcus Hook

It was disappointing to read Durham’s chief executive Tim Bostock labelling those warning of a further cut as ‘Luddites’.

But for back-to-back half-centuries from Somerset skipper Lewis Gregory, and the loss of 20 overs to rain on the final day, the South Londoners’ decision to bat last in the hope of chasing a score in the fourth innings at the Oval very nearly paid off.

Batting coach Jim Troughton revealed this week that, despite winning back-to-back titles, the Oval outfit feel there’s still room for improvement.

The 26-year-old, who has played 11 Tests, also believes his move to the Oval will lead to an international recall, after watching England’s last two series from the sidelines.

Stewart says that even the signing of Dan Lawrence from Essex is no guarantee the Oval outfit will continue to boss the domestic four-day game.

Will Jacks was halfway through an over when Surrey were confirmed as this summer’s County Championship champions – and admitted he was thrown by the enormity of being part of the South London club’s first side in 23 years to win back-to-back County Championships.

Surrey’s players might be forgiven for enjoying the recent heatwave, after completing a two-and-a-bit day rout of Warwickshire ahead of a 13-day gap until their next County Championship fixture, at home to Northants next week.

The sight of conkers hitting the ground is the surest sign the English cricket season is drawing to a close – which is why it’s so frustrating that, when Surrey line-up to take on Northants next week, the South Londoners will have seen just three days of action since August 22.

Even though the end of the road to this year’s Couny Championship title is now within sight – yes there could be some twists and turns – but, barring a catastrophe, Surrey should make it back-to-back crowns – certainly on the evidence of this week’s clash with fourth-placed Warwickshire.

Surrey skipper Rory Burns says his side simply need to concentrate on performing to their maximum after the South Londoners took another step closer to clinching a second successive County Championship title by delivering a crushing win over Warwickshire at The Oval this week.

Surrey, the 2022 champions, have been long-time leaders of Division One and are 17 points clear of nearest challengers Essex.

Marcus Hook’s latest Surrey CCC column focuses on the imminent departure of Dan Moriarty.

Marcus Hook’s latest column on Surrey CCC.

Surrey head into their two remaining games in the One-Day Cup knowing they are unlikely to progress to the knockout phase.

The Ashes never needs hyping up. Even so, many predicted this summer’s series would be the most enthralling since 2005, and so it proved. It also underlined that five-day Test cricket remains the ultimate format of the game.

Surrey maintained their lead in Division One of the County Championship by rolling over an in-form Somerset side with a day and 10 wickets to spare at Taunton last week.

Rory Burns described Surrey’s first home and away double against Middlesex since 1984 as “clinical”, as the County Championship leaders maintained the gap between them and second-placed Essex by comfortably overcoming their north London rivals at Lord’s last weekend.

Once again, T20 finals day ended in heartache for Surrey. The South Londoners have now been to seven since winning the inaugural competition in 2003, only to come away from all of them empty handed

Jason Roy says the personal disappointment of reaching three T20 finals days, only for Surrey to walk away empty handed, will fire him on to make certain that tomorrow’s doesn’t become a fourth.