Over the month of December, we’re going to take a look at Surrey’s 25 greatest men’s and 10 greatest women’s cricketers of the 21st century to celebrate an incredible quarter of a century for the Club. The list has been compiled by some great Surrey minds, taking personal numbers, honours and a general impact on the Club into consideration.
The release of the list of top 25 players will be spread out over the month of December to bring festive cheer to Members and supporters alike.
25. ZAFAR ANSARI
A professional career which lasted barely seven years, before moving on to his ambitions beyond cricket, ensured Ansari only gave a taste of what he might have achieved on the field. But the left-hander was staunch at the top of the order and his left-arm spin earned him three Tests and an ODI, playing a prominent role in Surrey’s revival in the 2010s. Now a member of Surrey’s general committee and on the Club board.
24. TOM CURRAN
Spearheading the attack when in gaining County Championship promotion in 2015 – aged just 20 – was a major contribution to Surrey’s resurgence, as well as contributing to the 2018 title. Since then, Curran has largely become a white ball specialist, key to the T20 side. His 28 ODIs, 30 T20 internationals and two Tests and effervescent presence for Surrey underline a major contribution to the county.
23. JADE DERNBACH
Surrey’s youngest player for 30 years when he made his debut at 17, Jade Dernbach’s white ball expertise earned him 24 ODI and 40 T20 England caps. But he was much more than a one-trick pony, frequently bearing the burden of a depleted attack during his first-class career from 2003-2021. His 311 FC wickets underline that, relishing playing a leading part in winning the County Championship in 2018.
22. WILL JACKS
Pity the bowlers who have to open up to Will Jacks in T20 cricket, respectable deliveries often disappearing into the crowd. Jacks scores his runs at an eye-watering 156 in that format for Surrey but his all-round talent is such that he has scored vital runs, taken important wickets and grabbed vital catches in Surrey’s County Championship campaigns as well, in between England appearances.
21. JAMIE SMITH
Top order bat or wicketkeeper? Jamie Smith’s abundant all-round talent was always likely to attract the attention of England’s selectors. Elegance and speed of scoring have been the hallmarks of his batting while his tidy keeping – most often seen at Test level and in white ball matches – makes him a formidable all-rounder. He captained Surrey to the semi-finals of the One Day Cup when just 21.
