Ben Geddes: Royal London Cup has helped fast-track development of Surrey’s youngsters

Surrey’s loss of a remarkable 15 players to The Hundred and England calls – by far the most of any county – may not have done much for their chances of winning the 50-over Royal London Cup, but it gave stand-in skipper Ben Geddes and many of his rookie team-mates a golden opportunity to accelerate their fledgling careers.

Geddes, who only turned 21 a month ago, led his native Surrey in all eight of their Royal London matches.

“It makes me feel very proud to have had the opportunity to captain one of the best cricket clubs in the world at my age,” said Geddes.

He will get the chance to add to the 274 first-class runs (average 68.50) he has already made this summer, with Test calls likely to rule Ben Foakes and Ollie Pope out of the South Londoners’ forthcoming County Championship game at Northampton (September 12-15).

Geddes, who led Surrey U17s to the national championship title four years ago, added: “When I was asked to lead the team in the Royal London Cup it was something that I really jumped at.

“I’ve always loved captaining, right through the Surrey age group sides from U14 onwards and for my school and club teams.

“It’s been a brilliant experience. I loved every minute of it and we all learned a lot during the tournament.

“The way we performed as a team showed just what great depth of talent we have at the club.

“We fielded a number of current Surrey academy players.

“One of them, Yousef Majid, who bowled his left-arm spin so well throughout, only left school this summer.

“Everyone contributed at some stage and I could not have asked for a better attitude out in the field.

“We went out there trying to win every game and we were competitive against some good sides with far more experienced players in them.”

Tom Lawes, who topped Surrey’s Royal London batting averages and has starred with the ball in the County Championship, was rewarded, as was Majid, for their consistent performances in the 50-over competition by being called up for this week’s England U19s clash with Sri Lanka at Derby.

Meanwhile, in The Hundred, Oval Invincibles Women remain on course to retaining their title after securing their place in the knockout phase by overcoming London Spirit by nine wickets at Lord’s last weekend.

Spinner Mady Villiers, whose 4-12 with the ball helped skittle out London Spirit Women for 80, said: “Changes of pace were going to be key on a pitch like that. It looked like a belter.

“Maybe in the last few games I’ve not stuck to what my best ball is. I’ve often over-complicated it. So, I stripped it back today and in the powerplay it worked really well.”

Southern Brave Women are also assured of progressing in The Hundred.

The second v third place eliminator takes place today at Southampton, ahead of tomorrow’s final at Lord’s.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD