Tremlett removed from MCC party

Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams wants Chris Tremlett to be fresh to take on Derbyshire on April 9

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Surrey have withdrawn new signing Chris Tremlett from the MCC squad to play LV= County Champions Durham in Abu Dhabi due to his expected workload at the start of the season.

Surrey begin their domestic campaign on April 9 against Derbyshire - the first of three championship games inside 15 days - just a week after the season curtain-raiser.

The former Hampshire fast bowler will still travel to Dubai with Surrey for this week's Emirates T20 competition and subsequent 40-over fixtures against Cape Cobras and the United Arab Emirates.

Surrey professional cricket manager Chris Adams announced: "I have withdrawn Chris Tremlett as a direct result of fixture overload in April.

"We have three back-to-back four-day matches starting on April 9 and to precede with another four-day game means Chris' workload will be immense. I have taken this decision with Surrey's best interests at the forefront."

In the T20 competition Surrey face a Fly Emirates XI, featuring Pakistan star Shahid Afridi, and the Cobras on Friday before Sussex and a potential place in the final the next day.

Newly-appointed captain Rory Hamilton-Brown, who his set to lead the county he rejoined in December for the first time, said: “All the boys are very excited about the prospect of getting out to Dubai, feeling a bit of sun our backs and playing some competitive cricket.

“The three other teams in the tournament look very strong, so I am sure there will some tough cricket played, which is exactly what we need to get ahead of what will be a long season.

“On a personal note, I have very much enjoyed my first taste of club captaincy over the last three months and am hungry to make a difference on the field as well as in the dressing room.”

Adams added: “We have made some big changes and some exciting signings over the off-season and it is a great feeling to finally be able to play some competitive cricket.

“This tour will be a great opportunity for the squad to further come together as a cohesive unit and I am very much looking forward to seeing them in action on the field."

Meanwhile, veteran batsman Mark Ramprakash will not fly to Dubai until Saturday, ruling him out of the T20 tournament. After the 40-over games, he will remain in the Middle East to play for MCC against Durham.

Chris Jordan, who has been withdrawn from the tour due to continued back problems, will be replaced by Surrey academy graduate Tom Jewell.