Alec Stewart attacks Surrey's critics after 146-run derby defeat by Middlesex

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s acting director of cricket, hit back at criticisms of the club’s selection policy after a derby defeat by Middlesex which plunged them deeper into relegation danger.

Surrey collapsed for a second day in a row, with Middlesex spinner Ollie Rayner taking 15 wickets in the match, putting Stewart’s team under more pressure ahead of their game at fellow relegation contenders Somerset next week.

Questions have been asked about the elderly nature of Surrey’s side and a perceived failure to nurture younger players.

“Do you just pick people because they are young?” Stewart asked. “If they are not playing well enough, do you pick them? You go in with a weaker side?

“It’s all opinions. But the opinions that count are in there [the dressing room].

"You’re entitled to write your thoughts on how you see things. And we’ll do what we believe is right. That’s how it’s always been.”

The former England wicketkeeper also took exception to the club being described as big-spending.

He said: “This club is a big club. Everyone works under the same salary cap.

"When it’s said ‘Surrey are big spenders’, we can’t spend any more money on players than the other 17 counties.

"It’s a very well-run club and they should be credited for that; the way we sell out the Twenty20s and everything else.”

Stewart also praised the groundsman for the pitch, even though Rayner took advantage after Surrey lost the toss.

Spin was again the major weapon on Thursday. First, Surrey’s Gareth Batty picked up three wickets before Middlesex declared with a lead of 384.

Surrey initially battled well in their second innings with Hashim Amla and Steven Davies compiling an 86-run stand that took the score to 188 for four.

Once that partnership was broken though, Surrey capitulated.

The match looked to be heading into a fourth day – with rain forecast – when Surrey were 207 for five, but they imploded to 212 for nine, ensuring Middlesex secured a convincing victory.

View the original article here

Stewart wants Surrey to bat better

Executive director Alec Stewart says Surrey's batting has been below par in this season's FLt20 competition.

The Oval outfit are fourth in the South Group, with three games remaining, after losing to Hampshire on Friday.

"We managed to win four on the bounce through some very good bowling and good fielding," he told BBC London 94.9.

"The batting needs working on. I want to see players play with a more positive intent, but not a reckless intent."

“You are going to lose wickets because it is an attacking game. We have got to make sure we take the right options and don't give ourselves next to no chance in defending a total”

Alec Stewart Surrey executive director Surrey, who have won four and lost three of their group games, have only posted two totals above 150 in their seven matches.

Stewart, who is overseeing first-team affairs after the departure of Chris Adams last month, says their batsmen must keep their focus and not be panicked should they lose early wickets or wickets in quick succession.

"The batters know, as a group, they have got to post bigger totals, take sensible options and make sure we have a total which the bowlers then have a chance to defend," he said.

"You have to rebuild but there are ways of rebuilding, without coming to a full stop, to still tick the scoreboard over. That is a skill in itself.

"You are going to lose wickets because it is an attacking game. We have got to make sure we take the right attacking options and don't give ourselves next to no chance in defending a total which is 30 or 40 runs light of what it should or could have been."

Surrey are now three points behind South Group leaders Hampshire and second-placed Essex and two points behind Middlesex, with a game in had on the two latter counties.

Despite that, Stewart remains confident of their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.

"It is in our hands," he said. "We want to treat each game as a semi-final. We go to Lord's and have to win, then play Kent at the Oval and then finish at Cheltenham.

"We know exactly what we have to do. We just need to go and do it."

View the original article here

Stewart wants Surrey to bat better

Executive director Alec Stewart says Surrey's batting has been below par in this season's FLt20 competition.

The Oval outfit are fourth in the South Group, with three games remaining, after losing to Hampshire on Friday.

"We managed to win four on the bounce through some very good bowling and good fielding," he told BBC London 94.9.

"The batting needs working on. I want to see players play with a more positive intent, but not a reckless intent."

“You are going to lose wickets because it is an attacking game. We have got to make sure we take the right options and don't give ourselves next to no chance in defending a total”

Alec Stewart Surrey executive director Surrey, who have won four and lost three of their group games, have only posted two totals above 150 in their seven matches.

Stewart, who is overseeing first-team affairs after the departure of Chris Adams last month, says their batsmen must keep their focus and not be panicked should they lose early wickets or wickets in quick succession.

"The batters know, as a group, they have got to post bigger totals, take sensible options and make sure we have a total which the bowlers then have a chance to defend," he said.

"You have to rebuild but there are ways of rebuilding, without coming to a full stop, to still tick the scoreboard over. That is a skill in itself.

"You are going to lose wickets because it is an attacking game. We have got to make sure we take the right attacking options and don't give ourselves next to no chance in defending a total which is 30 or 40 runs light of what it should or could have been."

Surrey are now three points behind South Group leaders Hampshire and second-placed Essex and two points behind Middlesex, with a game in had on the two latter counties.

Despite that, Stewart remains confident of their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.

"It is in our hands," he said. "We want to treat each game as a semi-final. We go to Lord's and have to win, then play Kent at the Oval and then finish at Cheltenham.

"We know exactly what we have to do. We just need to go and do it."

View the original article here