Marcus Hook’s Surrey CCC column: Hampshire test awaits as Roach affection for County Championship continues to grow

Surrey overcame a rain-ravaged opening day and the chilly conditions at Canterbury to wrap up a maximum points innings and 37-run victory over Kent

The hop county have flirted with relegation in each of the last two seasons, and the early indications are things will be no different in 2024.

Given not everyone plays each other twice in Division One of the County Championship, it was vital Surrey took full advantage in their only red ball meeting with Kent this term.

If it’s not as wet or as chilly, it will be a different kettle of fish this weekend against Hampshire, who were one of just two sides to beat Surrey over four days in 2023.

That said, the South Londoners have a good record against Hampshire at home in recent times; as well as at The Oval generally.

In the last three years, Surrey have triumphed in 12 of their 22 four-day fixtures in SE11, losing just the once.

A quirk of last summer’s charge for the title was that, for all the South Londoners’ dominance, they enjoyed just one first wicket partnership in excess of 58.

But this season Rory Burns and Dominic Sibley have already shared in top-order stands of 167 and 147, against Somerset and Kent respectively.

The Kookaburra ball, used in two of the three games so far, has clearly been a factor.

It was interesting to hear the thoughts of Kemar Roach – Surrey’s solitary overseas representative at present – who has 270 wickets in 81 Tests to his name.

Roach will be looking to add to his tally when West Indies take on England in July but, for now, his affection for the County Championship continues to grow.

“It’s the closest form of cricket to Test cricket and me being a Test cricketer I need to be challenging myself,” said the Barbadian, who, since 2021, has made Surrey his second home. “The facilities in county cricket are amazing. There are heaps of physiotherapists and there’s everything you need to keep in good shape.

“The weather plays a big part and every day can be different – and that’s what makes it so exciting.

“I want to play four-day cricket for as long as the body can hold up. For me, at 35 years old, I need to keep playing. My goal is to get to 300 Test wickets. Unfortunately, West Indies don’t play much Test cricket. We only play about six Tests a year, but time will tell.”

On the ECB’s decision to use the Kookaburra ball, Roach added when he appeared on last week’s Cricketer Podcast: “It went soft very quickly in the first two games this season.

“As a fast bowler you’re not going to get very much out of the pitch with a soft ball. I have bowled with it in Australia, but over there the pitches are harder and they’ve got more grass on them.”

One player for whom the Kookaburra doesn’t seem to be an issue is Essex seamer Sam Cook. Since the start of 2020, Cook has taken 193 first-class wickets at a mere 16.90 runs apiece.

Unsurprisingly, not only is the 26-year-old being talked about in terms of England, but Essex would also appear to be the team to beat this year.

It’s early days, but Essex versus Surrey at Chelmsford in the final round is already being billed by many as the championship decider.

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD