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Match facts

October 28, 2012
Start time 1730 local (1530 GMT)Sydney Sixers’ attack will be led by Mitchell Starc who has been among the best bowlers of the year in Twenty20s•Associated Press

Big Picture

The Champions League T20 may be the ugly step-sister of the cricketing world, with most fans giving it the cold shoulder, but for many of the players involved the final will be the biggest payday of their lives. With the champions getting a cool $2.5m, the money on offer will bump players, especially those who aren’t part of national teams or aren’t globetrotting T20 specialists, up a tax bracket or two. Adding to the occasion will be the sell-out crowd at one of cricket’s iconic venues, the Wanderers Stadium, which will make it among the biggest audiences some of the domestic players will play in front of.And contesting the final are the two most consistent sides of the tournament. Lions weren’t topping anybody’s list of favourites when the tournament began, but they have exceeded expectations through a combination of teamwork and temperament, keeping their head when things start to get tight. They have plenty going for them. The Wanderers is their home ground, and no one knows the conditions there better than Lions. The diversity in their batting – Twenty20 batting doesn’t get too much more of a contrast than the leg-side biffing of Ghulam Bodi and the surgical precision of Neil McKenzie – has been married to consistency through the tournament. And the bowling has four match-winners: their two imports Dirk Nannes and Sohail Tanvir, their best bowler in the domestic tournament, Chris Morris, and one of the bowlers of the CLT20, Aaron Phangiso.Their one reverse in this tournament came against their opponents in the final, Sydney Sixers. When the Big Bash League was launched a year ago, Sydney Sixers were the butt of jokes for their flamboyantly pink outfits, a colour which they started to refer to as ‘mangenta’. A year on, they have earned the respect of Twenty20 fans after winning the inaugural BBL, and are yet to drop a game in the CLT20.They came into the tournament as one of the leading contenders and have so far lived up to the tag, despite losing the services of Dwayne Bravo and Brett Lee to IPL teams, and that of possibly the most valuable player currently in T20 cricket, Shane Watson, midway through the tournament. They could also be without their captain, Brad Haddin, for the final, as he picked up a thumb injury – though he was fit enough to bat on Friday.

Watch out for…

Steve O’Keefe has opened the innings only three times in T20s: the semi-finals and final of the BBL, and Friday’s CLT20 semi-final against Titans. On all three occasions he has made a significant contribution, including a Man of the Match performance against Titans. In addition, his left-arm spin has been taken for less than a run-a-ball this tournament.Fast bowler Chris Morris was the top wicket-taker in South Africa’s domestic Twenty20 competition last season, and he came into the CLT20 on the back of a 12-wicket haul against Dolphins in a first-class game. He started off quietly in this tournament but hit the headlines with his spell against Delhi Daredevils in the semi-finals, helping his team defend a sub-par score by taking the key wicket of David Warner and then killing off the game with scalp of Kevin Pietersen.

Weather and conditions

Despite gloomy weather forecasts, the showers thankfully stayed away during both semi-finals. The organisers will hope that trend continues for the final as well, when light rain is predicted.

Stats and trivia

• Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker not just in the tournament but in all Twenty20s this year, with an astonishing 56 wickets in 26 matches
• Six of the Lions players who were part of the semi-final have a batting average over 26 in T20s, while the highest among Sydney’s players in the semi-final was Nic Maddinson’s 25.76

Quotes

“I think the middle overs will be important. We’ve dominated that period in almost all our games and I think that will play a massive role once again.”

“Lions are very desperate to win. This is a chance for the domestic teams to showcase their skills at the international stage.”

Runs flowed again for New Zealand Test batsman Mathew Sinclair with his Yorkshire League side Cleethorpes today.Yesterday he hit 200 not out in the side’s win over Sheffield United and today he scored another century when he departed with the score on 172. The side went on to post 241/6 against Grimsby Town.Sinclair was bowled by a ball that kept low from Jonathan Miller. Miller was on the fringe of selection in the Yorkshire under-15 squad last season.However, Grimsby Town could not match the home team’s batting effort and were dismissed for 105. Stuart Airey took four for 12 from seven overs.The win represented a great start for the club which has made no secret of the fact that it is looking for a Yorkshire League win this summer, something it hasn’t managed before.They signalled their intention by signing Sinclair as far back as October while it also engaged two semi-professionals. Opening bowler Andrew Carrington and wicket-keeper Graham Wilson have also joined the club.Standing in the way of the minimum of a top five finish for the club this year are traditional rivals who have dominated the league in recent seasons, Sheffield Collegiate, Harrogate, Doncaster and Scarborough. Another club, Rotherham, has also been on a recruiting drive and is expected to be a contender.A young player expected to be the subject of close attention by the Durham and Lancashire county set-ups is 16-year-old bowler Airey. He has already made appearances for the two counties in age group games last summer and is likely to be an all-rounder for Cleethorpes this year.

Match facts
September 18, 2012
Start time 1930 local (1400 GMT)Big Picture There is no big bash planned for the opening of World Twenty20 in Hambantota, no music concert, no fireworks and no trapeze artists. But, there is a cricket match and both Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are likely to be grateful that they, not a sideshow, will take center stage.Cricket can be their only focus because in a short group stage, like this one, an early slip up could end their campaign even as it begins. That fact is probably scarier for Sri Lanka than it is for Zimbabwe.Sri Lanka are expected not to slip up, especially because the tournament is taking place at home and their reputation as runners-up was given a fresh unveiling at least year’s fifty-over World Cup. Their time for going one better is thought to be now. Despite changes to coaching staff and personnel and a patchy recent record in T20 cricket, Sri Lanka is still seen as one of the favourites and they would hope to show why against Zimbabwe.For Zimbabwe’s coach, Alan Butcher, and his charges, this tournament is nothing more than an opportunity. It is a chance to show that they are still active on the world stage, even though they have not been on it for almost eight months. It is a chance to show that they are still producing talented players and have the capacity to nurture that talent. And maybe, just maybe, it is a chance to achieve something that no-one would think them capable of.Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLWLW
Zimbabwe LLLLLWatch out for There are few finer sites in cricket than Lasith Malinga, hair bobbing to the rhythm of his steps, running in, pecking the ball on its way through to the base of the stumps. With the opportunity to see him in whites a thing of the past, watching him in the shortest form has to suffice. As Sri Lanka’s joint highest wicket taker in T20 cricket, with Ajantha Mendis, Malinga can be as destructive as he is delightful and with Sri Lanka challenging for silverware on home turf, you can expect both in overload.Sandwiched in-between a man in fine form, Hamilton Masakadza and the captain, Brendan Taylor is Vusi Sibanda. He has completed his return to the team after a spat over his choice to play grade cricket instead of domestic cricket at home but has been overshadowed by Masakadza and Taylor. Sibanda is an attacking strokeplayer, who has learnt to play the short ball with as much force as the full one. He will also have to play the key role of holding the top three together to ensure Zimbabwe can challenge with the bat.Team news A slightly new-look Sri Lanka XI is possible with Dilshan Munaweera likely to open the batting alongside Tillakaratne Dilshan and offspinner Akila Dananjaya – both set for debuts. That will mean Mahela Jayawardene will bat at No.3. The middle order is solid and the bowling varied, with two frontline spinners in Dananjaya and Ajantha Mendis.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dilshan Munaweera, 2 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 3 Mahela Jayawardene, 4 Kumar Sangakkara, 5 Lahiru Thirimanne, 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Nuwan Kulasekara, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Lasith Malinga, 10 Ajantha Mendis 11 Akila Dananjaya,An impressive top three gives way to a shaky Zimbabwe middle order but their alternatives are few. Only Forster Mutizwa could replace Craig Ervine or Stuart Matsikenyeri but their experience would likely see them turn out for the first match. It will probably be a choice between Elton Chigumbura and Malcolm Waller for the allrounder’s role. Zimbabwe have three frontline spinners in Prosper Utseya, Graeme Cremer and Ray Price and Price is the likeliest to miss out if they chose to play three seamers.Zimbabwe (probable): 1 Hamilton Masakadza, 2 Vusi Sibanda, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 6 Elton Chigumbura/ Malcolm Waller, 7 Prosper Utseya 8 Graeme Cremer, 9 Richard Muzhange, 10 Kyle Jarvis, 11 Chris MpofuPitch and conditions With heavy gusts expected in the afternoon and evening in Hambantota, some steadying adjustments will have to be made all round. Matches there have been low scoring, largely because the surface area of the field is larger than the MCG, but the boundary rope is being brought in for this tournament. The pitch is expected to have something in it for the seamers, so much so that Brendan Taylor said he does not expect much turn. Temperatures are expected to be warm, between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, with up to 80% humidity but little chance of rain.Stats and trivia

ScorecardMatt Coles, who has refused to sign a new deal with Kent, impressed with bat and ball on day two•Getty Images

Loan signing Matt Coles showcased his talent with both bat and ball as Hampshire put pressure on Worcestershire at New Road.Coles scored a 38-ball half-century as Hampshire took maximum batting points and then dismissed Matt Pardoe with his third ball when Worcestershire reached 101 for 2. James Tomlinson had Daryl Mitchell neatly taken at second slip by Liam Dawson but Moeen Ali and Thilan Samaraweera had reduced the deficit to 327 when bad light ended play.After rejecting a new contract with Kent, Coles joined Hampshire last month with five Championship matches remaining in which to show he could fit into a revamped squad at the Ageas Rose Bowl next summer. But while his seam bowling is the priority interest for potential employers, his ability to make runs as a combative left-handed batsman has come to the fore so far.Having held up Lancashire for three hours when scoring 68 in an unsuccessful attempt to deny the divisional leaders at Southport, he showed the aggressive side of his game when Hampshire needed quick runs to take final batting point. Five fours and three sixes took him to 50 not out by the time Graeme Cessford and Jack Shantry polished off the last two wickets in successive overs.In making their sixth first innings score of 400 or more this summer, Hampshire often profited from a short boundary on the River Severn side of the ground. Yet the second day actually began well for Worcestershire as they removed the overnight pair with only one run added to the score.When James Vince edged Alan Richardson’s first ball it was parried by Mitchell and held, with some irony, by Moeen at first slip – 102 runs after dropping Hampshire’s century-maker when he had made only 4. The alert Ross Whiteley pounced from cover to run out Adam Wheater but Sean Terry, returning to the four-day team after a break of 16 months, and Michael Bates regained control in a partnership of 77 in 24 overs.When Bates was lbw for 41, it was a well-deserved success for Richardson. The 38-year-old is now on 63 Championship wickets for the season after taking four for 69 in 34 overs.But Hampshire still had a lot more to offer. Sean Terry, son of former county player and coach, Paul, made a Championship-best 58 before clipping Whiteley to midwicket and Chris Wood waded in with 10 fours until he was lbw to Moeen for 61 from 66 balls.

The Irish Police is searching for a Zimbabwe cricketer, Sharyce Saili, who went missing after the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers, which concluded in Dublin last week.Saili, who has played 26 matches for Zimbabwe since 2008, was last seen in the team’s hotel shortly after their Shield final against Thailand on July 31. Saili, a right-arm fast bowler, was booked to fly home last Friday morning, but was reported missing.The Garda Siochana – the Irish Police force – says it has found no trace of the cricketer.Zimbabwe finished sixth of the eight teams in the qualifiers after losing to Thailand. It was soon after that game that Saili was last seen in Croke Park Hotel, where all the teams and officials were staying.Saili, who is a salesperson in her hometown Harare, finished second on the wicket-takers list, taking seven wickets in five matches, including a career-best 3 for 15 against Japan.Saili has not updated her Facebook page since her disappearance. On the day she was last seen, she posted the following message: ‘A strong woman is one who is able to smile this morning like she wasn’t crying last night.’

A second consecutive big innings from opener Clare Shillington helped Ireland Women comprehensively beat Canada Women by 77 runs in a Group B match of the Women’s World Twenty20 qualifiers in Dublin. The win guaranteed Ireland a place in the semi-finals, after the hosts had trounced Japan by 117 runs on Tuesday.Ireland, electing to bat, got off to a flying start as Shillington and Isobel Joyce added 71 runs for the opening wicket. Shillington, who was again adjudged the Player of the Match, struck 12 fours during her 61-ball 81, as she helped take Ireland to a competitive total of 146 for 7 in 20 overs.Canada got off to a sedate start in their run-chase, losing opener Monali Patel in the second over and scoring just 34 runs in the first ten. The visitors never really got going, and managed to hit just five boundaries in their innings, as tight and incisive bowling from Ireland bowled out Canada for just 69 in 19.2 overs. Offspinner Eimear Richardson was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, finishing with figures of 3-1-10-2.In the other Group B game, Japan Women produced a dismal batting display as they were bowled out for just 21 and succumbed to a ten-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka Women.Put in to bat, Japan got off to a dire start, losing opener Mariko Yamomoto off the first ball of the innings. They managed only two boundaries throughout, both coming from Ayako Nakayama, who was also the team’s top-scorer with 12. None of the other batters got more than two runs, and Japan were bundled out in 18.1 overs.In reply, opener Yasoda Mendis struck four fours during her seven-ball 18, as Sri Lanka completed the chase in just 10 deliveries. Medium-pacer Eshani Kaushalya, who took 4-0-5-2, was named as the Player of the Match.In Group A, the Player of the Match Nattakan Chantam scored an 18-ball 24 to help Thailand Women to a six-wicket win over Netherlands Women in a low-scoring encounter at The Vineyard.Electing to bat, Netherlands could only manage 84 in their 20 overs, with Denise Hannema top scoring with 25. The Thailand bowlers were economical, with offspinner Rattana Sangsoma standing out with figures of 3-0-11-2. Thailand were slow and methodical in the run-chase, as openers Pundarika Prathanmitr and Naruemol Chaiwai put up a 31-run opening-stand, before Chantam’s knock completed the win.Half-centuries from captain Sana Mir and Bismah Maroof set up Pakistan women‘s 72-run win over Zimbabwe women to put them on top of the table for Group A.After electing to bat, Pakistan were rocked early as Javeria Khan and Iram Javed were dismissed without scoring in the second and fourth overs. But an unbeaten fifth wicket partnership of 107 runs, off only 79 balls, between Mir and Maroof took Pakistan to 142 in their 20 overs.In reply, only two of Zimbabwe’s batters managed to get into double figures. Qanita Jalil struck in successive overs, removing the openers before the score had passed six. Chipo Mugeri and captain Ashley Burdett held firm until the 13th over. But Javed removed Mugeri, who was the top-scorer with 32 off 33 balls, including six fours, which triggered a collapse, with five wickets falling for 16 runs. Nida Dar produced a miserly spell of 4-1-6-2 and Sana Mir collected a wicket as well to be adjudged Player of the Match

ScorecardJoe Burns hit a career best 81 and Anthony Ireland claimed four wickets as Leicestershire snatched a dramatic 11-run victory against Durham in the Friends Life t20 at Grace Road.Australian Burns hit four sixes and six fours in his 52-ball innings and with Greg Smith hammering 67 off 45 balls Leicestershire posted 176 for 5 after being put in to bat.A brilliant 69 from Phil Mustard put Durham in with a chance of victory until they suddenly lost four wickets in seven balls without scoring a run, and were bowled out for 165 in 19.5 oversIreland started the collapse by having Ben Stokes caught at deep midwicket by Matt Boyce for 35 off 21 balls. That ended a stand of 79 for the fourth wicket with Mustard, who was then out to Ireland’s next ball in identical fashion.It had been a typical Mustard innings, full of power hitting that brought him 50 off 39 balls. He faced 50 balls for his 69 that included eight fours and two sixes.His departure left Durham at 130 for 5 and two more wickets went at the same score in the next over from Shiv Thakor. Michael Richardson was smartly run out by the bowler and with his next ball Thakor trapped Ryan Pringle lbw.It was an astonishing turnaround and, despite some big hitting at the end from Gareth Breese, the Dynamos were left with too much to do to win. They needed 18 runs off the last three balls, and although Breese hit one six Ireland’s next delivery shattered his stumps. Breese made 29 off 12 balls and Ireland finished with a competition best return of 4 for 22.Smith, who was only in the side because Niall O’Brien was on international duty for Ireland, shared a second wicket stand of 81 in eight overs with Burns, hitting 11 fours and a six in what was only his ninth t20 game.It was Leicestershire’s first win in the competition this season, and puts them back in the mix in the battle for a place in the quarter finals.

ScorecardKeith Barker made his highest first-class score to heap further pressure on Surrey•Getty Images

On a day when Surrey’s recruitment policy was again called into question, two of the county’s brightest homegrown players combined purposefully to prevent another crisis from turning into a full-blown catastrophe.An unbeaten opening stand of 49 may look like small beer when set alongside Warwickshire’s mighty, and record-breaking, total of 631 for 9 declared but it is at least a start along the path to safety – and by seeing out 21 overs, Rory Burns and Arun Harinath have shown the hosts that they too can make considerable hay on this flat and inviting Guildford field.The two left-handers, born in Epsom and Sutton respectively, were not who Michael Atherton had in mind when he bemoaned, in national newspaper print, Surrey’s recent policy of hiring old pros from around the country and big names from overseas at the expense of developing their own talent.One of those recruits, Ricky Ponting, will hope to fill his boots here before this match between first division strugglers and defending champions is done. And unless Boyd Rankin – now released by England and poised to join the contest at its halfway stage – can drag more than the very occasional bit of life from an exceedingly docile pitch, Australia’s former captain may well succeed.Two or three wickets during the last knockings on a second day dominated by Warwickshire’s batsmen in general and century-making allrounder Keith Barker in particular would, however, have created a significantly different picture. No matter how quiet the surface, a follow-on target of 482 is daunting to any side, never mind a Surrey outfit low on collective confidence.Burns and Harinath did their jobs splendidly, though, and – a couple of strangled screams for catches apart – they gave the home supporters few scares. Just as well, really, because the Surrey faithful were almost certainly fearing the worst after watching Warwickshire sail beyond their previous best against these opponents (585 for 7 at The Oval, 108 years ago) and then create a record seventh-wicket partnership for the fixture (211 between Barker and Ateeq Javid).The second day did begin unexpectedly well for the hosts, with Jade Dernbach earning deserved reward for an excellent spell that ended Varun Chopra’s hopes of a double century, stopped Tim Ambrose 16 runs short of a hundred and prevented Rikki Clarke from prospering with the bat against his former county and on his old club ground – all in the space of 29 balls and at a personal cost of only 10 runs.Out of the blue, Warwickshire suddenly had to scrap to secure maximum batting points for the first time this season. But they achieved that target, with four balls to spare, and then saw Barker and Javid take complete charge for almost 60 overs.Barker, modest and unassuming off the field, is anything but under-stated on it. He gives the ball a real clump with the bat and swings it at good pace when leading the attack. No wonder, then, that Warwickshire missed him while he was absent for four Championship matches with a side strain.Born in Manchester and a former professional footballer, Barker was the only senior member of Warwickshire’s pace department not to be involved with England, at one level or another, last winter. But at 26 it is certainly not too late for this godson of Clive Lloyd to make a mark at international level.The powerfully build left-hander moved steadily to 50, then accelerated to the third first-class century of his career with the help of 14 fours as well as pulled six off Stuart Meaker.Javid had to make do with a career-best 85, when a maiden hundred seemed almost certain, but Warwickshire already had enough runs to put Surrey under pressure. The hosts may yet buckle, though not if the early efforts of Burns and Harinath are anything to go by.

Match facts

April 27, 2013
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)The earlier Chris Gayle goes, the better it is for Mumbai•BCCI

Big Picture

Halfway through the tournament, Royal Challengers Bangalore are in pole position, tied on points with Chennai Super Kings but ahead on net run rate. They have played a huge chunk of their home games in a cluster, and made the most of familiar conditions and vociferous support, winning six out of six at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Their two losses have been away games.For their next six matches, starting with Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, Royal Challengers will be traveling the country. Away from the comfort of their surroundings, their consistency will be put to test. Royal Challengers should guard against peaking too early, and their coach Ray Jennings said their early success will count for nothing if they lose focus in their second round of games. A pleasing aspect for Royal Challengers is that their two leading wicket-takers are Indians, Vinay Kumar and RP Singh.Mumbai Indians are a better team on paper than their position in the points table – No. 6 – suggests. They sprung a surprise when Ricky Ponting opted out of the previous match and handed over the captaincy to Rohit Sharma. Mumbai scrambled to a five-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens, and with their next six games at home they have a chance to get back into the top four. What remains to be seen is whether Ponting returns.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)
Mumbai Indians WLLWW
Royal Challengers Bangalore WWWLW

Players to watch

All bowlers v Gayle – How does one keep Chris Gayle quiet? Among the Pune Warriors bowlers who got slaughtered in Bangalore, only Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Luke Wright finished with economy rates of less than seven. Length deliveries were duly hammered and the bowlers were guilty of bowling far too many deliveries on the middle and leg line. Fast yorkers are an option and Mumbai have one such bowler who could crack the Gayle puzzle. Malinga v Gayle will be the contest to watch.Dwayne Smith replaced Ponting as opener two matches ago, and though Smith failed against Delhi Daredevils, he made it count with a match-winning 62 against Knight Riders in the next game. With Ponting struggling for runs, Smith could make the opening position his own going forward.

Stats and trivia

• Lasith Malinga is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker in the IPL, with Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Amit Mishra, on 88 wickets
• Malinga has bowled the most balls at Gayle in the IPL without being hit for six – 39 deliveries. He’s conceded only 36 runs to Gayle
• Royal Challengers have played three games at Wankhede, winning two and losing one

Quotes

“I would like to ignore what has happened in first eight.”
.”It was his decision to opt out, and it takes a lot of heart and guts to do that.”

Last year 7th, CC Div 1; Group stages, T20; 2nd Group B, CB402012 in a nutshell: A season overshadowed by tragedy. While it would be an exaggeration to suggest all was progressing well before the death of Tom Maynard – Surrey’s form had been modest – the club faced a desperate struggle to retain equilibrium afterwards. That they retained their Division One status and missed out on a CB40 semi-final by the skin of their teeth might be considered admirable. Amid the shock, few individuals progressed. Surrey utilised 24 players in the Championship alone, seeming unsure who was best at the top of the order and rarely batting with assurance. The bowling of Stuart Meaker, who was not flattered by his figures, was a bright spot but Jacques Rudolph was a disappointment, Steven Davies and Chris Jordan were dropped and Jon Lewis, Jade Dernbach and Chris Tremlett either rarely played or struggled to make an impact. All have strong mitigating factors, but there is no avoiding the fact that 2012 was a dark year in the history of the club.2013 prospects: Surrey look a very different team in 2013. Gone is the old captain, Rory Hamilton-Brown, gone is the mainstay of the batting for a generation, Mark Ramprakash, and gone are several of the bright young things (Maynard, Chris Jordan and Matt Spriegel) who it was hoped would form the spine of the team for years to come. Recognising that more maturity was required in the dressing room, the club brought in Vikram Solanki (37 on April 1) and Gary Keedy (38) to join the likes of Zander de Bruyn (37), Jon Lewis (37) and Gareth Batty (35) as well as big name overseas signings Graeme Smith (32) and Ricky Ponting (38). Some good young players remain: George Edwards and Matt Dunn are among the most promising fast bowlers; Jason Roy and Rory Burns are talented young batsmen and all can be seen as products of the club’s youth system. But the balance between youth and experience has swung sharply. A trophy seems unlikely – the batting looks a bit fragile for that – but decent limited-overs form and the comfortable retention of Division One status should not be beyond them.Key player: While Surrey have other wicketkeeping options in Gary Wilson, Steve Davies could be seen as a barometer of this side. He typifies the Chris Adams regime: recruited on a large salary and amid much expectation, his career has not progressed as some predicted. His talent remains undoubted but Surrey – and their director of cricket, Adams – could do with him producing more to justify the investment they made.Bright young thing: George Edwards, 20, is a strong fast bowler with some ability with the bat. Given sustained fitness and opportunity, he could develop into a top-quality player for club and country.Captain/coach: It was always going to take time to turn things around at The Oval. Just as things were, at long last, improving, the club were thrown into turmoil by the death of Maynard and the team required rebuilding. This is Plan B for Chris Adams. How much time he will be given to get things right this time remains uncertain but the club have backed him to the hilt by bringing in Smith as captain. Such investment is likely to demand a return.Cricinfo’s verdict: It may frustrate supporters, but Surrey enter this season at the start of another rebuilding process. Having lost several of those seen as the future of the club, it may take time for others to settle in their place. How much patience will be shown towards Adams and co. remains to be seen but the squad is deep and experienced and, led by Smith, they will surely prove tougher, more obdurate opposition.