Only 1 man has more first-class runs for Surrey than Rory Burns – it’s not Mark Butcher
Surrey County Cricket Club has long been one of England’s most prestigious first-class counties with a rich history of batting excellence at The Oval.
Throughout the years, several players have left a mark on the county, scoring thousands of runs and crafting innings that will long live in the memories of fans in Vauxhall.
Here we take a look at Surrey’s seven highest run-scorers in first-class cricket at the pinnacle of English domestic cricket at a club that’s rich with history…
7. Mark Butcher – 6,276 FC runs for Surrey
A stylish left-handed operator for club and country, Butcher was the embodiment of resilience and class.
Gracefully collecting 6,276 first-class runs for Surrey, he played an instrumental role in the county’s domestic dominance in the late ’90s and early 2000s with his masterful knock of 230 a personal best total and example of his class.
Butcher’s contributions to England included a famous innings in the 2001 Ashes where his unbeaten 173* led his country to a memorable win against Australia at Headingley.
A keen guitarist who’s musical talents have featured on Sky’s cricket coverage, Butcher has also released a blues album.
6. Steven Davies – 6,355 FC runs for Surrey
Davies was a vital middle order figure for Surrey with the wicketkeeper-batter rattling towards his total between 2010 and 2016 with an impressive average of 42.65.
Renowned for his elegant stroke play and an unbeaten 200* against Derbyshire in 2o11 was a career-defining moment that showcased his ability to control the game from the middle order.
He was instrumental in their promotion-winning campaign that year with his consistent glove work and reliable performances at the crease.
Davies represented England in limited overs cricket and made history as the first openly gay professional cricketer – a true pioneer of the sport.
5. Scott Newman – 6,404 FC runs for Surrey
Newman was an aggressive opener who had a knack for showing absolutely no fear when batting.
His ability to take on bowlers made him a key cog in Surrey’s top order with his career-best score at the expense of Glamorgan in 2005 – an exhilarating innings that showcased his attacking instincts.
He played a crucial role in their 2002 County Championship winning season where he would frequently fly out the blocks and give his side dominant starts.
Like many cricketers, Newman was superstitious and admitted he believed the order in which he put his pads on brought him good luck.
4. Ali Brown – 7,202 FC runs for Surrey
Not many pleased the crowd as much as Ali Brown, an explosive batter who notched 7,202 first-class runs for Surrey.
His aggressive style of play revolutionised limited-overs cricket but also didn’t deteriorate his quality in red-ball matches.
His high score remains one of the most destructive in county cricket as he battered an unbeaten 295*, agonisingly short of a maiden triple century.
Brown was another key part of a dominant Surrey period where he won multiple County Championships in the same period as Mark Butcher.
3. Jonathan Batty – 7,662 FC runs for Surrey
Batty was a key figure in The Oval dressing room throughout the noughties and often didn’t get the praise he deserved in a star-studded Surrey side.
He was the absolute backbone of the county’s middle order and regularly ground out crucial innings for his side when they needed them most.
The wicketkeeper-batter demonstrated exquisite concentration and patience at the crease and was a safe pair of hands behind the stumps.
He’s since transitioned into coaching and has worked in a number of franchise T20 leagues worldwide including a stint with the Melbourne Stars.
2. Rory Burns – 11,413 FC runs for Surrey
In recent years, Burns has been the face of Surrey’s batting lineup at the top of the order and captains the historic county.
While many consider his technique unconventional, the former England man plays with relentless concentration and has in periods scored runs at will.
A career-best effort of 227 is an example of his ability to grind out enduring innings and he’s renowned for his meticulous approach to the game.
He writes detailed notes and analyses every part of his game and it certainly pays dividends!
1. Mark Ramprakash – 15,837 FC runs for Surrey
In a league of his own at the top of the list stands Ramprakash who amassed a simply staggering 15,837 runs at an average of 67.97 for Surrey.
His class and prowess made him one of the most formidable batters in county cricket history as he scored 61 centuries for the county.
A score of 301* topped off his record breaking career where despite his domestic brilliance, he had an inconsistent England career.
Off the field, Ramprakash has impressive dancing skills having won the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2006.
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