More stars will go as Surrey rebuild

14 April 2012

Surrey, who yesterday announced they were releasing Alex Tudor with a year remaining on his contract, are expected to name other high-profile casualties of their dismal summer over the next few days.

Their season could have ended in relegation and changes are needed to allow head coach Steve Rixon to build a new Championshipwinning side by signing four new players for next year.

Almost certainly on his way out is spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, one of the club's biggest earners and the most successful match-winner. However, a series of crippling knee injuries mean he is unlikely to be offered a new contract.

Ian Salisbury, another knee victim, could also go after taking only 13 wickets at 50 apiece. The former England leg-spinner is hoping to regain his form playing grade cricket in Sydney during the winter, but faces a nervous few days, along with Philip Sampson, the 24-year-old Manchesterborn pace bowler, and batsman Richard Clinton.

Among the players likely to be reprieved are the Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood, who took 38 first class wickets at 29 and averaged 30 with the bat, and Ali Brown, who probably saved himself by scoring four centuries in the second half of the season.

In another development, Surrey's move to sign Stephen Fleming appears to be collapsing. The New Zealand skipper was offered a two-year contract and there were discussions about him taking over the captaincy from Jonathan Batty who, as opener, wicketkeeper and captain, has been burdened with three jobs.

A Surrey spokesman said: "There are problems about his full-time availability and the New Zealand board raised objections."

Rixon wants to sign four new players, including two quick bowlers and one from overseas.

But the attack will still be spearheaded by Martin Bicknell, who is expected to play one more season and James Ormond, who answered jibes about his lack of fitness by taking 52 wickets at 36 from 609 overs - more overs than any quick bowler in the country. Only Mushtaq Ahmed of Sussex and Lancashire's Gary Keedy bowled more.

Tudor, who is 27 next month, has been left confused - even angry - by his dismissal. He is hurt that Surrey have paid up his contract, around £70,000 a year, at the point when he believed a new diagnosis from a Russian consultant offered the answer to his long-term back injury. He has already started a new exercise programme under the club's fitness trainer Andy Jackson for next season.

Tudor admitted yesterday that he is determined to reach full fitness within six months and restart his career next summer to prove Surrey wrong. With his medical background, he is unlikely to be offered a normal contract from another county.

But several others would be interested in him on a paypergame basis until he proves his fitness. He was a great ambassador for the club and will be sorely missed.

Without the 1,564 runs and seven centuries from Mark Ramprakash, Surrey may well have gone down, but recovered to finish third in the First Division of the Frizzell Championship after a final sprint.

They were also relegated from the top section of the totesport League and picked up only £34,300 in prize money.

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More stars will go as Surrey rebuild

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