It’s a quarter of a century since Surrey went through their County Championship campaign unbeaten, cruising to the 1999 title. It was the first time the title had returned to The Oval in 28 years and all the more rewarding for Adam Hollioake’s side after blowing up when in sight of success 12 months earlier. Richard Spiller spotlights the players who achieved glory, which started a run of three titles in four years.
This was the final year of the one-division Championship, Surrey’s 12 victories from 17 matches seeing them finish 56 points ahead of runners-up Lancashire. They also beat Sri Lanka A by 21 runs in a tour match to remain unbeaten in first-class action.
That made it a unique season in the club’s history – the only summer they have been unbeaten at first-class level since the Championship was formalised in 1890. In Surrey’s early years, they were unbeaten in seven seasons, playing a handful of matches, and also proved impossible to better over 11 outings when the informal competition began in 1864, the first team to be deemed “champion county” by the sporting press.
It was the 15th time the winners of the Championship had been unbeaten and has happened on four occasions since.
For Hollioake’s side, proving invincible through a whole summer in which they contributed generously to England’s squads for the World Cup and Test series against New Zealand, it was a remarkable achievement, Surrey closing the 20th century just as they had entered it – as county champions.
FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
Alex Tudor: Spearhead of the attack alongside Martin Bicknell, Alex Tudor had raised eyebrows with his pace and bounce as the tour rookie in Australia the previous winter. He followed it by making an unbeaten 99 as nightwatchman to earn England victory over New Zealand. A knee injury cost him both an international place and restricted him to nine Championship games, taking 39 wickets at 21. A string of injuries would restrict Tudor to 10 Tests, joining Essex in 2005 and returning briefly to The Oval three years later before retirement. He now coaches at Kimbolton School, near Cambridge, and is frequently seen and heard on TV and radio.
Jason Ratcliffe: Like Nadeem Shahid, Jason Ratcliffe had the unenviable role of filling in for international players when they were away, knowing he would almost certainly have to give way when they returned. The solid opener arrived from Warwickshire in 1995, having made his first-class debut in 1988, making 12 appearances in the 1999 triumph. His medium-pacers progressed to the extent that he took 6-48 against Sri Lanka A at The Oval. Ratcliffe remained on the Surrey staff until 2002, when a persistent knee injury finally got the better of him. Already involved in the Professional Cricketers Association, he rose to deputy chief executive and his work in recognising mental health issues is a lasting testament to his time there. He formed JATA Management, representing several high profile players.
Alistair Brown: Leading scorer for Surrey with 1,127 runs at 51, Alistair Brown’s value to his side came not only in the number of runs he scored but the speed and timing of his interventions. He made four centuries, 108 against Warwickshire at Edgbaston described as “brilliant” in Wisden. There were 31 catches too. Brown continued to be a force for Surrey until moving to Nottinghamshire for three seasons from 2009, winning another Championship medal at Trent Bridge, before returning to The Oval for a spell as coach. He now oversees cricket at Trinity School in Croydon.
Saqlain Mushtaq: Pakistan’s ace off-spinner had already given notice of his prowess since signing for Surrey midway through the 1997 season. Returning after Pakistan had reached the World Cup final, Saqlain announced his presence with 12 wickets in a drubbing of Durham at The Oval and devastated Hampshire at Guildford with 6-44 on the final day, finishing with 58 wickets at 11 in seven outings. Saqlain was at the heart of Surrey’s attack through much of the following decade, alongside international commitments, although his heavy workload took a grievous toll on his knees. Since retirement he has coached his country.
Graham Thorpe: International commitments restricted Graham Thorpe to nine games, scoring 561 at 51. His most important contribution was a masterly 164 at Guildford, where Hampshire – Surrey’s closest challengers at the time – took a lead of 151. Thorpe’s masterpiece over six-and-a-quarter hours built a target of 332, Surrey winning by 156 runs. The left-hander, who played 100 Tests and 82 ODIs, retired in 2005 and was awarded the MBE in 2006, going on to coaching spells with New South Wales, Surrey and the ECB.
Alec Stewart: International commitments restricted Alec Stewart to seven Championship outings, in which his output was unusually modest. It was a summer in which England’s early exit from the World Cup spelled the end of his captaincy – he had been appointed Test skipper and led the way to victory over South Africa, plus one of the more respectable Ashes defeats in Australia before inheriting the one-day role as well. Stewart appreciated being back for the title-winning victory over Nottinghamshire to claim his first Championship medal. Since retiring with 133 Tests and 170 ODIs under his belt, Stewart has become the architect of a new Surrey golden age as director of cricket.
Adam Hollioake (capt): Buccaneering Adam Hollioake relished leading Surrey to their first Championship since 1971, admitting the lessons learned in the late collapse a year earlier had made his team into more complete unit. Hollioake’s own international career – four Tests and 35 ODIs – had ended with England’s inglorious World Cup campaign, having briefly been captain a year earlier. His 486 runs in 12 matches, leading seven of the victories, barely portrayed his value to the team, fielding close to the wicket and never afraid to try something different – sometimes even outrageous – to make a breakthrough.
Martin Bicknell: Surrey’s leading wicket-taker, claiming 71 wickets at 18, Martin Bicknell often made the early incisions. He never took more than four wickets in an innings in 1999, the spinners generally mopping up. Few county openers relished an examination of technique from Bicknell’s swing, seam and control. It was to Surrey’s advantage that the England selectors so often looked elsewhere, confining him to four Tests between 1993-2003, a key performer in winning three County Championships in four years. After retiring in 2007, Bicknell took root at Charterhouse School where he is director of cricket.
Mark Butcher: Forming a highly successful opening partnership with Ian Ward, Butcher made 991 runs at 47. He also played a key role deputising for Adam Hollioake, who was involved in England’s World Cup campaign, leading the side to five early wins in setting the tone of the campaign. Butcher also played three out of four Tests against New Zealand, captaining England at Old Trafford but then losing his place. When he regained his place in 2001, Butcher went on to play 71 Tests, his Test career shortened by a wrist injury. Butcher took on the Surrey captaincy full-time in 2005, being forced into retirement four years later by knee trouble. He has become a highly respected commentator on the game.
Ian Salisbury: His spin partner, Saqlain Mushtaq, might have collected the plaudits but Ian Salisbury’s contribution was every bit as valuable. The leg-spinner, who had arrived from Sussex in 1997, claimed 60 wickets at 21 over the 17 matches, two hauls of five wickets or more underlining his consistency through the season. Like most of his fellow bowlers, Salisbury was a handy bat as well and his maiden century, against Somerset in May at The Oval, set up a seven-wicket victory completed with a storm approaching. He remained an integral member of the attack through the Championship run before a short spell at Warwickshire, followed by coaching with Surrey, Sussex and now Middlesex.
Nadeem Shahid: Breaking his wrist early on meant Nadeem Shahid was restricted to two matches, fully playing his part behind the scenes. Beginning his career with Essex and making his first-class debut in 1989, Shahid moved to Surrey in 1995 and made 82 appearances over the next 10 seasons. Collecting two Championship winners’ medals with Essex and three at Surrey, he often fielded close to the bat and bowled occasional leg-breaks. Three years as second team coach were followed by a move to South Africa.
Ben Hollioake: Living up to the massive expectations set by his thrilling international debut two years earlier was proving troublesome for Ben Hollioake in 1999. His 468 runs and 20 wickets in 12 appearances – a knee injury shortening his season – were a handy contribution to Surrey’s title surge, a maiden five-wicket haul setting the tone to beat Glamorgan by an innings in less than two days. Hollioake played two Tests and 20 Tests, his talent reaching full flower when he died in a car crash in Perth in March 2002, aged 24.
MIDDLE ROW
Keith Booth: Surrey’s scorer since 1995, Keith Booth also formed a fine double act with his wife Jennifer – who looked after the second team – in international matches. They retired in 2018. Keith sadly passed away this week, aged 81.
Jonny Gloster: The Australian physiotherapist has established a worldwide reputation, spending three years (2005-08) with the Indian team and working with Olympic and Paralympic athletes from his base in Mumbai.
Dale Naylor: Physiotherapist who was involved with Surrey for a decade from 1997, working with a number of international teams and in several sports.
Gary Butcher: Starting his career with Glamorgan, Gary Butcher returned to home ground to play alongside older brother Mark for the 1999 season, making four Championship appearances that summer. The all-rounder played a larger part in retaining the title the following season, including taking four wickets in successive balls against Derbyshire at The Oval. After his playing career finished, Butcher moved into coaching and is now director of cricket at Reigate Priory CC.
Rupesh Amin: Left-arm spinner who emerged through club cricket in the county, joining Surrey in 1997.. He made three appearances in 1999 and frequently stood in ably for Saqlain and Salisbury. Amin remained with Surrey until 2002 and then spent a season with Leicestershire.
Ian Bishop: Seamer Ian Bishop proved a handy deputy when the big guns were resting or injured, making three appearances. Having made his first-class debut for Somerset in 1996 in a tour match, the Devon regular was given a run of second team games by Surrey in 1998 and the following season appeared on several occasions in the Sunday League as well as the four-day game. Bishop departed in 2001 and returned to Devon before concentrating on club cricket.
Jon Batty: In his 14 matches, wicketkeeper Batty claimed 43 catches and seven stumpings, underlining his crucial role in support of spin pair Saqlain Mushtaq and Ian Salisbury. His batting became increasingly important for the county, often opening as well as keeping. He had the unenviable task of succeeding Adam Hollioake as captain in 2004. He left Surrey after the 2009 season for three seasons at Gloucestershire before embarking on a highly successful coaching career.
Ian Ward: One of three ever-presents in the side, Ian Ward scored 954 runs at the top of the order -forming a highly successful partnership with fellow left-hander Mark Butcher – and over Surrey’s three Championship-winning seasons he was the leading run-scorer, playing five Tests for England in 2001. After leaving Surrey in 2003, he had a brief spell at Sussex before concentrating full-time on a burgeoning broadcasting career which has seen him fronting Sky Sports cricket.
Keith Medlycott: His playing career having been curtailed by a dramatic loss of form – touring West Indies with England in 1990 and leaving Surrey in 1992 – Keith Medlycott returned as second team coach in 1997. He moved up to replace David Gilbert the following year and oversaw a glorious run of success which included both Championship and limited overs trophies before departing in 2003. As the cricket professional at Reed’s School in Cobham, he continues to have an impact on the game, not least as coach and mentor of England white ball opener Phil Salt.
Alan Butcher: Having been a prolific run-scorer for Surrey, before completing his career with a spell at Glamorgan, Alan Butcher returned as second team coach in 1998, moving from a similar role at Essex. He held the first team post for three seasons in 2005-08 and went on to coach Zimbabwe. With sons Mark and Gary in the squad, the Butchers embodied the “Surrey family”.
BACK ROW
Carl Greenidge: Made his first-class debut against Sri Lanka A in mid-season and then took 5-60 on his first Championship appearance in the final match of the campaign, against Yorkshire at The Oval. Son of West Indies great Gordon Greenidge, Carl Greenidge had first appeared in List A cricket the previous summer, later moving to Northamptonshire and then Gloucestershire. He is now head of cricket at Bancroft’s School in Essex and played his father in the Bollywood film 83, about India’s shock World Cup victory over West Indies.
Gareth Batty: Did not appear in the Championship. Having joined Surrey from Yorkshire – where he made his first-class debut in 1997 – midway through the 1998 season, Gareth Batty remained on the fringes of the first team before departing for Worcestershire in 2002. The off-spinning all-rounder returned to The Oval in 2010 as a Test player – appearing in nine Tests altogether over 13 years – to play a role in the club’s revival. That included three seasons as club captain, having deputised frequently. Batty’s T20 playing career stretched to 2021, when he was second XI coach, and since taking charge of the first team in 2022, Surey have claimed the title twice.
Mark Patterson: Mark Patterson’s two games for Surrey lacked nothing in drama. Having impressed for Ireland in the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1996, he was given a trial by the county and claimed 6-80 against South Africa A – the best figures by a debutant that stage. The all-rounder combined Surrey and Ireland duties but was held back by injuries. Patterson made his Championship debut against Nottinghamshire at The Oval in 1999, taking 3-25 in the first innings of a match which finished in two days and saw Surrey win by 10 wickets to seal the title. Regular injuries meant Belfast-born Patterson’s remaining cricket was mainly played for Bedfordshire and he subsequently went into teaching.
Phil Sampson: Did not appear in the Championship. Born in Manchester and brought up in South Africa, seamer Phil Sampson signed for Surrey as a teenager and made his debut in 2000. He played five first-class, 24 List A and 15 T20 matches over the next five years without securing a long-term place in the team. Having first played for Buckinghamshire in 1999, he returned for two more seasons and led Sutton to the Surrey Championship title.
Kevin Barrett: Did not appear in the Championship. Prolific in second team cricket, Kevin Barrett joined the Surrey staff in 1999 for two seasons. The opener had already made his List A debut for Devon and returned to play for them afterwards. Barrett works in the financial services industry and chaired the testimonial committee for his old colleague and housemate Gareth Batty in 2017.
Michael Carberry: Did not appear in the Championship, making his first-class debut in 2001, moving to Kent but finding opportunities limited. Having switched to Hampshire in 2006, the left-handed opener established himself as a staunch presence at the top of the order. Sustained performances – overcoming a life-threatening issue with blood clots – led to selection for the Ashes tour of 2013-14, standing up better than most to a pace barrage as England lost 5-0. His first-class career concluded with a short spell at Leicestershire. Now splits his time between financial services and being an artist.
ABSENT
Joey Benjamin: A solitary Championship match in 1999 proved the final chapter of Joey Benjamin’s time at Surrey, having switched from Warwickshire in 1992, aged 31. The seamer immediately became a key member of his new county’s attack and earned him an England Test debut against South Africa at The Oval in 1994. A frustrating Ashes tour followed – playing two ODIs – before returning to county cricket. After retirement, Benjamin coached at Reigate Grammar School, where he died of a heart attack aged 60 in March 2021.
Darren Bicknell: Major back surgery a year earlier, and fierce competition in the top-order, loosened Darren Bicknell’s previous tight hold on a regular place. But although the 1999 beneficiary had already decided his future would lay with Nottinghamshire, he made some important contributions. Amid his 478 in 10 matches were two centuries and a brace of patient innings in the middle-order which guided Surrey to a nervy four-wicket victory over Lancashire. He used his long reach and phlegmatic temperament to see off Muttiah Muralitharan, despite the controversial spinner’s 10-wicket haul. Bicknell gained another Championship winner’s medal at Notts and is now chief executive of the Belvoir Castle Cricket & Countryside Trust.
