Former Surrey skipper Jonathan Batty is continuing to develop his coaching career as he leads Surrey Women into the defence of their London Championship title today.
Batty, who scored 8,446 runs, made 551dismissals and lifted numerous trophies for Surrey between 1997 and 2009, is now combining a successful teaching career with being firmly involved with the women’s setup – also working for the South East Stars regional team.
Having played a part in the Surey Stars memorable Kia Super League triumph in 2018, Batty was also a key figure in Surrey Women’s hugely successful 2020 – where they won the London Cup T20 with Middlesex for the first time and also came out victorious in the inaugural London Championship.
“I love still being involved with Surrey and have been working in the women’s game for a number of years now”, said Batty this week. “It’s a huge challenge, loads of fun and brilliant to work with some supremely talented players.”
As well as coaching the finest young female talents in the county, Batty also works at Caterham School, where he is Head of Cricket and Assistant Director of Sport – and also teaches geography.
Later this summer he will take up another mantle in the women’s game as he will become the first ever Head Coach of Oval Invincibles, the Hundred team who play their matches at The Kia Oval, featuring numerous Surrey and South East Stars players as well as South African internationals Dane van Niekirk and Marizanne Kapp, who both played key roles in the Surrey Stars KSL victory.
Surrey’s defence of the London Championship starts with a trip to Sussex tomorrow – the seaside county only added to the competition this winter after Surrey, Essex, Middlesex and Kent competed in the first Championship last year.
Although the women’s game has a relatively complex domestic setup, with the County Championship (played in T20 format) and the London Championship sitting beneath the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy and ECB Regional T20 competition and then The Hundred in the hierarchy, Batty is well aware of its value to both players and supporters.
“As well as a providing another opportunity to develop county players and provide another link to support the regional programme, the London Championship ensures that a good level women’s team will continue to play in Surrey colours”, he added.
“It ensures the best female cricketers in the county have the opportunity to continue to play and develop. Many of them have an eye on continue to develop their skills and try to break into the regional programme [South East Stars].”
JB’s three to watch in the London Championship
- Dani Gregory – a leg spinner who has already made an impact in the County Championship and RHF Trophy and will be looking to continue her good form.
- Rhianna Southby – a wicket keeper who’s one of the brightest wicket keeping talents in the country.
- Chloe Brewer – she continues to go from strength to strength having shown a glimpse of her potential with a wonderful 50 against Sunrisers in the final Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy match of 2020.
Surrey’s London Championship Fixtures
- Thursday June 3rd – Sussex – Away – Brighton Aldridge Community Academy
- Sunday June 20th – Kent – Home – Chipstead CC
- Monday June 5th – Middlesex – Home – The Kia Oval
- Monday June 12th – Essex – Away – TBC
