Charles Randall: Surrey under pressure to look abroad for security (21 May 1997)

Wednesday 21 May 1997

Surrey under pressure to look abroad for security

By Charles Randall

PRESSURE is mounting at the Oval for Surrey to sign an overseas player to strengthen the side as they attempt to revive a limp start to their championship season at Leicester today.

The possibility that both Hollioake brothers will be required by England through the summer - joining Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe as county absentees - has forced Surrey to think seriously about their status as the only county side wholly England-qualified.

As it was, Surrey`s decision not to sign a foreign player at the start of the season amounted to a risk that would almost certainly cost them their championship aspirations.

No side for many years has succeeded in championship cricket without one, and major achievements by the best overseas players have been key ingredients, certainly in four- day cricket as shown by Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, Allan Donald and Phil Simmons since 1993.

Paul Sheldon, Surrey`s chief executive, said yesterday: "The chance of our requiring an overseas player has gone up since the Hollioakes were picked. We may be forced to take action."

"Our policy has been to wait and see how things work out. A change depends on three things - England call-ups, plus injuries, plus the availability of the overseas players we might want. Poor results would be only a small factor."

Surrey drew their first two games when rain interrupted unconvincing performances, and they suffered a ninewicket defeat by Gloucestershire at the Oval last week. Only two batsmen have made fifties - one of them being Martin Bicknell, a bowler.

Sheldon added: "It is true we haven`t been dominating sessions in the championship so far. We`re all under pressure to get results because we`ve assembled a world-class squad and worldclass results are expected. They`re not being produced yet. It`s early days."

If Surrey do decide to disappoint the anti-overseas lobby, they would almost certainly sign a bowler, with Saqlain Mushtaq, the Pakistan off-spinner, high on the list.

Chris Lewis takes over from Adam Hollioake as captain and an unfancied team have travelled to Leicester, where the champions` pennant flies. Leicestershire have found good form recently, so it would be no surprise if Surrey, free of the burden of expectation, were to do well.

Nottinghamshire managed their first win for almost a year last week without an overseas player, and they will have to continue to do without one - Mohammad Zahid, their new signing - against Derbyshire at Trent Bridge.

The Pakistan fast bowler broke down again in training and is to have a scan on his sore back. Their prospects have begun to look as bad as Surrey`s.

The quality of today`s county programme has been a little diluted by the loss of 15 players to England and a rash of injuries to the overseas contingent. Wasim Akram, Mohammad Akram and Vasbert Drakes could all miss their games.

Source :: The Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/)