Consistency pays off for Bicknell

By Thrasy Petropoulos BBC Sport Online cricket writer

As the leading wicket-taker by a street and the man with the third-highest batting average for the county, it is not surprising that Martin Bicknell was last year voted Player of the Season by his Surrey team-mates.

Where the Bicknell story truly stands out, however, is that it was the fifth year in succession that he received the accolade.

In 1999 and 2000, the 32-year-old seam bowler was rewarded for his efforts by sharing in the victory celebrations when Surrey won the County Championship title virtually unchallenged.

Bicknell: Championship is the top priority

Last year, however, apart from the fleeting honour of winning the Benson and Hedges Cup, Surrey were consumed in a dogfight to stave off relegation that went to the last afternoon of the season.

In another year where his bowling heroics - in only four innings out of 28 did he go wicketless - again went unnoticed by England's selectors, it was without doubt no more than Bicknell deserved.

After a winter spent running a golf corporate event and merchandising business from home, and latterly recovering from an operation on his left ankle, Bicknell is ready once more to pull on his bowling boots.

Lack of support

This time, however, he will be hoping for more help from his colleagues.

He took 72 Championship wickets last season, followed some distance behind by Saqlain Mushtaq (43) and Ed Giddins (30).

And his batting average of 46.75 (748 runs) was bettered only by Mark Butcher (60.28) and Mark Ramprakash (55.42).

  Last five seasons

Bicknell's Ch'ship record

2001
72 wickets, average 18.86

2000
71 wickets, average 18.91

1999
60 wickets, average 17.53

1998
65 wickets, average 20.62

1997
44 wickets, average 26.68

"I found it very mentally draining to be honest, almost having to carry other players," Bicknell admitted.

"To repeatedly be batting by the 30th or 40th over and be needed to score runs as well as bowl all those overs was taxing.

"The other thing that was difficult to take was when we failed to win games we had become accustomed to winning easily. For instance when we left ourselves more than 80 overs to bowl the opposition out in.

"And then there were the defeats to teams we expected to beat, like Glamorgan at the Oval.

"OK, there were extenuating circumstances perhaps - mostly that a number of individuals had unexpectedly poor years - but, quite simply, we didn't play well enough as a team to challenge for the Championship again.

"We may have won the B&H Cup, but ask any cricketer which trophy they'd want to win and it would be the Championship. It's is the truest test of your ability."

New face

Encouragingly for Surrey, their squad of all-stars has a more settled look to it this season.

Ormond should help cut Bicknell's workload

Ian Ward will struggle to regain his England place, and Alec Stewart missed out on a central contract.

But the player Bicknell is most looking forward to having around is new-recruit James Ormond, who should help reduce his workload.

"England commitments allowing, he should be good to bowl with," Bicknell said.

"He's an established cricketer who knows all about taking wickets.

"He's quicker than me obviously but his economy rate is excellent, which is an area we highlighted as needing attention after last season."

Perhaps the greatest obstacle to Surrey's progress will be how they react to the loss of Ben Hollioake.

Either the squad will emerge closer and play with greater purpose and unity, or the gradual realisation of the all-rounder's death will cause minds to wander.

What seems certain, however, is that Bicknell will be there or there abouts, as he has been over the past five seasons when he has taken a total of 312 Championship wickets at 20.1 apiece.

But does he still dream of adding to his two Test caps?

"Those days are long gone," he chuckles.