Hollioake - the rough diamond who can become a pearl

Ben Hollioake may have picked up the man-of-the-match award for his sparkling 73 in Surrey's Benson and Hedges Cup final win over Gloucestershire but his coach is warning him that he's not yet the finished article.

It was a great day for Hollioake in a season which is developing well for the 23-year-old following his selection for the England one-day side for the NatWest Series.

It is four years since the younger of the Hollioake brothers burst on to the scene as a teenager with his 63 against Australia in the Texaco Trophy and 98 off the Kent attack in the 1997 Benson and Hedges final.

After that he suffered a downturn in form and even struggled to hold his place in the Surrey side but now coach Keith Medlycott senses that Hollioake is ready to fulfill his potential.

Medlycott told PA Sport: "Ben is as talented a player as anyone in the dressing room.

"There are different ways of measuring talent. Mike Atherton can bat for ten hours in a Test Match and Ben plays some of the sexiest shots in the world. They are both talented players.

"Ben burst through early in his career and it is a reality of life that there are very few players who do well from 15, 17, 18 onwards who are a complete success straight away.

"But he is maturing and working harder, although I'm sure he would admit that he still has a lot to do.

"England are very excited about him but we want to smooth him out. We don't want a rough diamond. We want to turn him into a pearl.

"He's got the potential but you have to get your hands dirty. He's doing it but we want to get there quicker.

"On the big occasions when Ben has put his hand up and played well, everybody in the Surrey dressing room has expected that. He is a major player in a successful side.

"But in one-day competitions this year, he is starting to turn in more consistent performances.

"He is also averaging 80 to 90 in four-day cricket and his performances are also getting better and better.

"He is that bit older, playing more games and we at Surrey are now pleased with the progress that is now coming and the work that is being put in.

"Understanding of how to prepare at the top level is another thing you have to learn and Ben is filling that criteria - and performances are coming because of it."

Hollioake admitted: "It's hard to put a finger on why my game has come on but I've worked hard this year and it seems to be going well.

"I've been more consistent and getting more mature. I've got quite a lot of games under my belt now even though I'm still quite young.

"Getting picked by England was great for me - for them to show that they think I'm a player of talent and for me to get a 50 and 30 proved to me I can still do it in pressure situations - like yesterday.

"That gives you confidence that I didn't have last year. Saturday's situation is one I've been in a few times this year and I've come in and played that sort of innings."