Hollioake eyes title finish

Hollioake threw everything into pre-season training

Former captain Adam Hollioake has set his heart on winning a fourth County Championship with Surrey before he retires in September.

Hollioake stepped down as captain at the end of last season, passing the reigns to Jonathan Batty.

"To finish with another Championship would be the best way to finish my career," he told BBC Sport.

"I've had a fantastic time here, and to add one more trophy would be more than I could have asked for."

Hollioake, 32, was at the helm as Surrey won the Championship in 1999, 2000 and 2002.

But the team struggled in the final month of last season and ended up in third place behind Sussex and Lancashire.

Wicket-keeper Batty is also likely to continue opening the batting, a role he has filled successfully for the last two seasons.

Hollioake gave a ringing endorsement to his successor and said he is enjoying being back in the ranks.

"I've just enjoyed concentrating on my own game and not concentrating on the captaincy and all the pressures that go with it," he said.

"He [Batty] has done a fantastic job so far and he's proved himself to be a more than capable captain."

Hollioake was also full of praise for Australian coach Steve Rixon, who succeeded Keith Medlycott in the job this month.

"I'd heard a lot of good things about him from players he had coached and so far all that appears to be true," the all-rounder said.

"He seems to be a tough guy, very disciplined, who knows what he wants and all the players know where they stand with him."

Hollioake believes the club will be able to recover from the loss of opening batsman Ian Ward to Sussex and the retirement of Alec Stewart.

Scott Newman has already filled in well at the top of the order, scoring the first first-class century of the season in a draw with Oxford UCCE last weekend.

"To be honest, 95% of Stewie's achievements were with England and he would say he was an England player first. Ian Ward is the main difference," Hollioake added.

"Scott Newman is a fine player and if he can bridge the gap there is no reason why we can't be as successful as we have in the last six or seven years."