Spriegel signs for Northants

It’s a sad day today, as Surrey have announced that all rounder Matthew Spriegel will be leaving and has signed for Northamptonshire from the start of the 2013 season.

Spriegel has been at Surrey since he was 8 years old, and it is obvious from his interview on Surrey TV that we as a club will always remain in his heart. After making his Championship debut for Surrey against Somerset at his home ground Whitgift School in 2008, he made a total of 1093 runs in 29 matches, taking 13 wickets. However, it is felt by many that he didn’t really take his chance when given to him in the longer form of the game, even though his batting style suited it.

However, he will be most remembered for his performances in List A cricket, whereby he became one of the first names on the teamsheet, especially in the CB40, where his bowling and batting were more consistent than any other player in the side. In limited overs cricket he scored 1803 runs and took 66 wickets, with an average closing in on 40 in List A cricket, which alone show how valuable he was to the side. The form he showed in this form made many question why he wasn’t being selected in the LVCC side, especially with the woes of our batsman this season, but just 2 appearances in the last two years shows why he wanted to try a different experience.

With Ramps retired, Zander de Bruyn likely to be leaving, Ansari away at Uni and RHB possibly going to Somerset, I would have thought that there would have been more opportunities for Spriegs next season in the LVCC, but Adams obviously couldn’t assure him of that, and Northants have told him he will play in all forms.

If that was the case, I am disappointed in Adams, because I would have done anything I could to keep him at Surrey. The amount of times Spriegs has saved us in One Day games is countless, with the game at Guildford this year a prime example, as without him, we may have not made 50. His off spin was so underrated, as he isn’t someone who picks up bucketloads of wickets, but 9 times out of 10 he keeps things tight, applying pressure, with the bowlers from the other end taking advantage of his good work.

His finest moment will be the CB40 Final of 2011, where after bowling a tight spell in the Somerset innings, he saw Surrey home by striking the winning runs with a thick edge down to third man. However, that will be no more, as he and Surrey have parted ways. It will be incredibly difficult for Surrey to replace him, as there aren’t many cricketers with the temperament, as well as skill, that he possesses.

I would finally like to thanks Spriegs for all of the happy memories he has given us over the last few years, and that moment where he hit the winning runs at Lord’s last year will stick in the memory forever. Good luck with your future Spriegs, and you are always welcome back at the Oval.