Stewart backs Surrey for more glory

Surrey have been told they can keep getting better after capturing a third county championship title in four years.

Adam Hollioake's team moved beyond reach when Warwickshire, their last remaining challengers, failed to take more than nine points from a draw against Lancashire at Old Trafford.

Surrey's last two matches of the season - starting with Wednesday's visit to relegated Hampshire - can now be a celebration stroll.

But even if Hollioake's men do take the foot off the gas, one of the men who played while the county were capturing seven consecutive championships during the 1950s believes they are capable of going from strength to strength.

Micky Stewart, former captain, coach and president of Surrey, said: "I don't see why the current Surrey squad can't keep getting better over the next few years.

"There's no reason why they can't keep this success going, provided the desire is there and so long, perhaps, as Saqlain Mushtaq keeps coming back."

Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain has been influential again this summer, although not as devastating as in previous seasons after missing three games early on and two more last month because of international calls.

But while Stewart believes Saqlain's input will continue to be important, he believes Surrey's all-round strength can earn more titles. "I think it's significant that this season's championship, unlike those in 1999 and 2000, has been won without a major contribution from Martin Bicknell," said Stewart.

Bicknell has often carried the county's pace attack. But he missed a big chunk of this summer after breaking his wrist.

"It's been the year of the non-stars," said captain Hollioake. By that he meant players like Nadeem Shahid, who had to be dropped soon after scoring 150 when the big names returned from England duty, and wicketkeeper Jonathan Batty, who made a success of opening the batting.

But it was also the year of the new faces, with all-rounder Rikki Clarke earning an England call-up on the strength of four months' work and Scott Newman making 99 on debut

"It's a credit to the club that people like that are coming through," added Hollioake.

Surrey said they would dedicate their victories this season to the memory of Ben Hollioake, Adam's younger brother and fellow England all-rounder who died in March.

"The guys told me they were fired up and focused on winning for Ben, and it has been a nice gesture from everyone at the club," said the captain. "We've had a fantastic team spirit - it has been a pleasure to have been a part of such a tight knit unit."

SURREY'S Team of Champions: Micky Stewart picks his top Surrey team from the title-winning sides of the 1950s and modern times. See this week's Standard Sport.