It’s been an up and down year for our all-rounders and
wicket keepers this year, with some leaving, some having a lean time of it, and
some showing some real potential. Here’s my review of how the All-Rounders did
in 2012.
Zafar Ansari
LVCC- 234 runs @ 21.27, 0 wickets @ N/A
CB40- 160 runs @ 40.00, 6 wickets @ 24.67
FLT20- 144 runs @ 24.00, 6 wickets @ 28.50
Zafar Ansari continues to impress in all forms of the
game with both bat and ball. He has proven to be a vital part of our One Day
set up, with the ability to bowl tight overs, as well as hit some quick runs
towards the end of the innings. However, 2012 was the first year that he became
a LVCC regular, and he and Rory Burns forged a good opening partnership. Even
though he didn’t get as many runs as he would have wanted to, one innings shows
that he has the mental strength to become an opener, the unbeaten 83 at
Edgbaston where he batted all day to save the game was brilliant, and showed
that he has a big future in the game.
Zander de Bruyn
LVCC- 709 runs @ 26.25, 6 wickets @ 63.83
CB40- 210 runs @ 26.25, 5 wickets @ 9.60
FLT20- 80 runs @ 16.00, 1 wicket @ 32.00
After scoring nearly 2000 runs for us in his debut season
in 2011, I think it is fair to say that Zander de Bruyn has had a very
disappointing season. He had a poor campaign for the Highveld Lions in the
winter of 2011, and continued that form into our season, just at the time we
needed someone with his temperament to fire. He looked horribly out of nick for
most of the year, until the final two games of the season, where he hit a pair
of 70’s and a century in the final 3 innings. With RHB, Ramps and Spriegel not
going to be with us next year, we will need de Bruyn to find some winter form,
and come back better next year.
Rory Burns
LVCC- 640 runs @ 42.67
CB40- 35 runs @ 17.50
FLT20- 41 runs @ 13.66
The Banstead wicket-keeper had a fantastic breakthrough
season for us, in becoming one of the best openers we have had in 4 day cricket
for years. He started the season by scoring his 1st First Class
hundred against Leeds-Bradford MCCU, before having a fantastic spell in the
Second X1, where he seemed to score centuries at will. When he was brought into
the side after the T20, he didn’t get off to the greatest start, by leaving one
on his stumps first ball, but after that, he didn’t look back. The 200+
partnership with friend Arun Harinath was superb, ending in Burns completing
his first Championship hundred. I feel he will be opening the innings for us
for years to come.
Steve Davies
LVCC- 438 runs @ 21.90
CB40- 260 runs @ 23.63
FLT20- 184 runs @ 18.40
Despite being our leading run scorer in the CB40 and T20,
Steve Davies had a very poor season by his very good standards. Once again he
didn’t get a proper pre-season, as he was just getting net practice with
England in the UAE, which if you remember, hampered him at the start of 2011 as
well. There is no doubting the man’s talent when on form, but it was a very
rare occurrence that he found top form, and he was eventually dropped for the
final home game of the season. He has therefore missed out on the tour to India
as back up keeper, so I hope he can go away and have a break over the winter,
before coming back refreshed for the start of pre season in 2013.
Tom Jewell
LVCC- 70 runs @ 70.00, 1 wicket @ 24.00
Despite consistent performances in the second X1, Tom
Jewell failed to break into the first team until the final game of the season.
He scored a superb 70 and picked up a wicket, showing what he is capable of,
but his contract is now up, so he may want to seek another county. I personally hope that isn’t the case, and
feel that he could become an important part of our side in the coming seasons.
Chris Jordan
LVCC- 10 wickets @ 51.70, 141 runs @ 12.82
CB40- 0 wickets @ N/A
After he made a good end to last season, the Barbadian
Chris Jordan failed to build on that, and was released at the end of the
season. He started the year opening the batting, which I feel was a terrible
decision, as it affected his confidence considerably, which made an impact on
the bowling side of his game. It’s disappointing to see CJ leave the Oval, as
he showed so much promise when he burst onto the scene in 2007, but injuries
didn’t help his cause, as he has so far failed to reach his potential.
Matthew Spriegel
LVCC- 35 runs @ 11.46
CB40- 220 runs @ 27.50, 9 wickets @ 21.11
FLT20- 130 runs @ 21.67, 2 wickets @ 44.50
Ok, the figures may not be fantastic, but Matt Spriegel
was a massive part of our team. His off spin in one day cricket was so vital,
with him often bowling his 8 overs through from the start for less than 30
runs. His batting as well saved us on many occasions, most notably at
Guildford, where he turned 9-5 into something slightly more respectable. But,
he wasn’t given enough chances in the Championship, and even though he will
always remain a Surrey man at heart, he has decided to move to Northants for
first team cricket. Good luck Spriegs, you are always welcome back.
Gary Wilson
LVCC- 182 runs @ 60.67
CB40- 65 runs @ 16.25
FLT20- 182 runs @ 60.67
The Irish wicket-keeper batsman has continued to improve
in all forms of cricket, becoming a consistent performer whenever he has been
called upon. He had a fantastic T20 campaign for the games that he was
available for, and showed he can compete for Davies’ spot in the Championship
side, taking part in two valuable partnerships in the game against Notts which
confirmed our survival. He had a difficult start to the year with the loss of
his mum to cancer, but you wouldn’t have known with the way he played, and I
hope that he will still be here next year.
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