Surrey rebuild with young stars

Matthew Spriegel impressed in his debut season of first-class cricket

Surrey have said they are rebuilding for the future, after signing five academy graduates to longer-term deals.

They include 21-year-old Matthew Spriegel, who played in nine County Championship matches last season.

Surrey were relegated from Division One, without winning a match, prompting the departure of boss Alan Butcher.

"We've had a disappointing summer, but there is some light at the end of the tunnel," academy director Gareth Townsend told BBC London 94.9.

"This is further testament to the faith Surrey are showing in their home-grown players. Now they have got to repay that by improving their performances and training hard.

"I've no doubt, that the way they've been with us over the last three or four years, they will be good investments for the county club, and hopefully they will form part of the future of Surrey cricket."

Spriegel, 20-year-old Laurie Evans, 19-year-old Stuart Meaker and Arun Harinath, 21, have all signed two-year deals, with 23-year-old Chris Murtagh penning a one-year contract.

Three of the five players have already made their first-class debuts, while the other two have been staking their claims with some consistent performances in the second 11.

Spriegel had the most successful summer of the five. He made his debut in May in the County Championship match against Somerset. His breakthrough peformance came against Nottinghamshire when he made 51 batting in the middle order.