As we basked in late summer sunshine and England's glorious series victory, the Surrey team enjoyed a well deserved break and a chance to recharge their batteries before the final charge.

No-one has earned his time off more so than Alec Stewart whose captaincy, impeccable strokeplay, faultless wicketkeeping and superb fitness levels have played a major part in both teams' success. The aggressive strokeplayer has also proved that he can seize the initiative as quickly as ever to entertain the crowds with an array of shots. Equally laudable is his fitness as he keeps wicket as well as anyone at the same time as scoring runs and captaining the side. Hopefully this summer's success for England's new captain marvel will be a spring board to further achievement and may even include bringing home the Ashes this winter.

The Surrey contingent also enjoyed success in the First Class Counties game against South Africa as Ali Brown and Ben Holliaoke scored 70s and Martin Bicknell took three cheap wickets.

And Surrey's Jan Brittin also did us proud in the women's Ashes series when she overtook Rachel Heyhoe Flint's previous aggregate record in scoring her second successive century.

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