Nine Surrey players have been awarded ECB central contracts as they prepare for a demanding winter of international cricket. The list includes first-time recipients Dan Lawrence and Matthew Fisher, alongside established names such as Ollie Pope and Jamie Smith.
Winter schedule features Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa
The contracted players face a hectic itinerary beginning with a white-ball series in Pakistan, which also involves Sri Lanka. That is followed by three ODIs and five T20s in Australia, before a Test series in South Africa. After Christmas, the team travels to Bangladesh for a Test series, followed by a one-off Test in Australia in March, which serves as a curtain-raiser for next summer's Ashes. A 50-over World Cup will follow in the autumn.
According to the report, it was widely expected that Jamie Smith, who has established himself as the number one wicketkeeper-batsman in the Test side, would be joined by fast bowler Gus Atkinson and all-rounders Will Jacks, Sam Curran, and Jamie Overton. All five have featured regularly in ODIs and T20s for England, and sometimes in the longer format.
Lawrence and Fisher earn first central contracts
Dan Lawrence's successful return to international cricket against Pakistan has earned him a central contract for the first time. Ollie Pope retains his contract despite being left out during last winter's Ashes down under and not being selected since. Pope remains close to the England side and was included in the squads for each of the three Tests against Pakistan last season. The report notes that rushing from Test venues to Surrey matches around the country was clearly detrimental to his form.
Matthew Fisher, who made his return to the Test side after a four-year absence against New Zealand at the Kia Oval, also features for the first time. The 28-year-old took five wickets and scored 50 in the first innings of that match. Although he was not picked again during the summer, he remains in the selectors' thoughts.
Crocombe included in Australia squads; Lawes misses out
Surrey's ninth player is Henry Crocombe, the fast bowler signed from Sussex who is due to make his debut next season. He has earned a two-year deal, as have Atkinson, Curran, and Jacks, with the rest covered over the next 12 months. Crocombe has been included in both squads heading to Australia soon.
Tom Lawes, whose developmental contract – where the ECB pay half the salary plus a top-up of 25 per cent – has not been renewed, may feel left out. Lawes missed five Championship matches through injury but averaged 33 with both bat and ball.
Impact on Surrey's squad and budget
Having so many players receiving central contracts is a mixed blessing for Surrey. While it will save a considerable amount of money in their cricket budget and offer greater headroom in fitting into the salary cap – which is £3.2 million for the two counties in London – it also gives them less control over their own players as they attempt to make their way back up Rothesay County Championship Division One after finishing seventh last season.
Curran, Jacks, and Overton will join Crocombe in both formats in Australia, with Atkinson alongside them for the 50-over ODIs but rested – alongside fellow speedsters Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue – for the T20s. Lawrence missed out on that tour but will captain the England Lions in a five-match series against West Indies A in the Caribbean starting on November 7. This makes recruitment from outside the current squad and their choice of overseas players all the more important for Surrey.
