I've written before to gloat about big-spending Surrey failing to turn ostentatious cash-splashing into success, even in Division Two of the Championship. Pietersen, Davies, Tremlett and Maynard have been notable signings in the past two seasons yet still they languish in the second tier of the English domestic game's premier competition. However, their largely young side is showing signs of forging a useful 40-over unit, and looked impressive against Warwickshire yesterday
They may have been trounced by lowly Kent last week but in the 40-over tournament, they remain unbeaten in ten games and are assured of reaching the semi-finals. Rory Hamilton-Brown looks a useful opening batsman and astute captain at only 23 years old and they have some promising young talent in Jason Roy, Tom Maynard, Jade Dernbach, Zafar Ansari and Matthew Spriegel, assisted by the older heads of De Bruyn, Batty, Davies, Yasir Arafat and Schofield. Mark Ramprakash's powers finally seem to be waning and the county need another big run-scorer to compete in first-class cricket, but the short formats seem to suit them right now.
The same seems to be true of neighbours Sussex. A powerful T20 outfit, they also top their group in CB40, although Group A looks on paper to be the easier of the three. I find it hard to keep up with their overseas players but with Mike Yardy back at the helm and seemingly in good health again the county have been an excellent all-round side, perhaps better with the bat. Ed Joyce and Joe Gatting are in record-breaking form at the top of the innings, and Murray Goodwin, Chris Nash, Lou Vincent, Yardy and, occasionally, Luke Wright will always be reliable in the runs department. They could be vying with ex-skipper Chris Adams' Surrey for one-day trophies this year.
Hampshire are having a topsy-turvy season. Full of big stars and ace young batsmen, they are having a disastrous Championship season but looked ominously good defending their T20 crown. Somerset are again in contention for all three but will probably fail again, especially after losing their last two CB40 matches. However, the team I saw beating them at a soggy Taunton the other night, Nottinghamshire, also look real contenders for the CB40 although Group C is a very competitive one.
They beat Trescothick and co without Alex Hales, but he will be a major asset in the final weeks of the summer. Steven Mullaney hasn't a great record but he struck some powerful sixes as a makeshift opener. Riki Wessels and Darren Bravo are a bit inconsistent but Chris Read is so vital for them, as batsman, 'keeper and captain. With Swann and Broad almost permanent absentees, and Sidebottom departed in 2011, they are not the team they were when they won the Championship last year. Nevertheless, Pattinson, Fletcher, the wily Paul Franks, big Ben Phillips and all-rounder Samit Patel comprise a solid bowling unit. They are not yet assured of a semi-final berth in the CB40 but if they beat Lancashire, and Somerset slip up against Essex and Gloucestershire, they will prove a handful. Discount Chris Read's team at your peril!
