Brown dazzles on Surrey debut
Michael Brown is determined to establish himself as a one-day player at Surrey
Michael Brown made an impression on his competitive debut for Surrey, scoring a half-century in their 33-run defeat to Yorkshire in the Pro ARCH Trophy.
The opener scored 51 off 61 balls in Abu Dhabi to herald a new beginning in his career after leaving Hampshire in the winter due to a lack of first-team opportunities in one-day cricket.
“Hopefully I've started as I mean to go on,” said Brown. “You only get one chance to make a first impression.
“It’s a shame I got out when I did, but I spent a bit of time out there and that is always good this time of year. Hopefully I can get a bit of consistency going for the rest of the season.”
Consistency is something Surrey have definitely been lacking in the last couple of years, but the new opening partnership of Brown and Scott Newman realised 96 runs in the first 16 overs.
“It was a good wicket,” Brown said. “The new ball came on really nicely. I got off the mark first ball which always helps.
“Me and Scott Newman got off to a good start, it's just a shame one of us didn't push on to 70, 80, 100. I guess that is sometimes the way it goes.
“It's the first game back so you are trying to find your feet a little bit and get stuck in.”
Brown, who started his county career with Middlesex, is not the only one trying to find his feet after a coaching overhaul at the Brit Oval. Chris Adams, Graham Thorpe, Alec Stewart and Ian Salisbury have all been drafted in, with Alan Butcher and Nadeem Shahid departing.
“The coaching staff are brilliant,” Brown confirmed. “They've got lots of experience and lots of knowledge. There's been a good buzz around the team.
“Everyone is looking at themselves and how we can improve. To be honest, if you are willing to put the work in, there isn't a reason why you shouldn't become a better player.”
Brown found the encounter under lights at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Stadium a dazzling experience
Brown is determined to take his opportunities: “We are looking to find a way of playing one-day cricket, that we can form a foundation round to play for the rest of the season.
“Hopefully I fit into that somewhere, whether it be opening the batting or in the middle order. I just love to play. It's just a case of trying to contribute, in the field and with some runs.
“Hopefully we can find a way of playing one-day cricket which will give us a really solid squad for the rest of the season.”
Tonight's game was played under lights at the magnificent Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi, which recently hosted three one-day internationals between Pakistan and West Indies.
Brown was impressed with what it had to offer.
“The ground is lovely and it's a nice place to be playing,” he said. “The lights were good and I think it just made the new ball skid on a bit more, which probably helped me a little bit.”
Michael Vaughan had scored 115 - his first century for Yorkshire since June 2004 - to help his county to 295 for eight in their 50 overs.
The Brown Caps, who chose to blood a number of youngsters, could only muster 262 for nine in response.
Scorecard - Yorkshire v Surrey, Pro ARCH Trophy, March 18 2009 (74 KB)
