Murtagh eyes Twenty20 glory

Seam bowler Tim Murtagh is hoping Surrey reach Finals Day for the third consecutive year

Tim Murtagh is hoping to play a major part in Surrey’s Twenty20 Cup campaign this year and give the home fans something to cheer on Finals Day.

The decision to stage the competition’s thrilling climax at The Brit Oval means the Surrey squad have extra motivation to reach the semi-finals and then go on to clinch the silverware.

Not that their motivation in the exciting format can be questioned following their domination in this form of the game so far.

In 2003, Surrey became the first county to get their hands on the trophy when they cruised to a nine-wicket victory against Warwickshire Bears in the final.

Murtagh has played an important role for Surrey over the past two seasons

Their unbeaten record in the Twenty20 Cup continued throughout 2004 and the Lions looked set to retain the title as once again they reached the final before they were surprisingly edged out by Leicestershire Foxes.

As the 2005 campaign begins, Surrey are understandably one of the favourites to go all the way and if they do, Murtagh will be desperate to play his part.

The Lambeth-born seamer has played all the group games in the past two seasons, only to be dropped on the big day, and he would love to be involved if Surrey reclaim the silverware on July 30.

Asked about his aims for the competition, he said: “To go all the way. We've been in the final for the last two years so it would be good to get there again.

“Personally I would like to play on Finals Day. I was dropped in the previous two years after playing all the group games, so it would be nice to get a game.

Ali Brown is certain to be a key performer for Surrey Lions

“To have a packed house on Finals Day is a massive incentive. It wouldn't be a Finals Day without Surrey!”

With so much talent in the Surrey squad, Murtagh knows he is not guaranteed a place but will relish the challenge if he is part of the bowling attack.

“I don't know how much I'll be playing in the Twenty20. I don't know if Martin Bicknell will be around, and Azhar Mahmood may be back,” he explained.

“But I've loved the Twenty20 games. I've improved my bowling in one-day games, and I would like to bowl at the death in Twenty20. It would be good to transfer my skills to the Twenty20 game.”

With two Twenty20 Cup campaigns behind them, all the teams are now developing a gameplan for the 20-over format and Murtagh has learnt some valuable lessons in the past two years.

All-rounder Adam Hollioake is no longer available and his shoes will be tough to fill

“You have to give 100%, in batting, bowling and fielding,” he said. “If you give any less than that, then you get exposed.

“If you don't put the ball in the right place then you will be slotted around the ground. You need full commitment and a belief in your ability.

“We won it in the first year without any real plans. We chatted about it a bit more last year though and discussed the areas to bat and bowl in.”

Former captain Adam Hollioake has been a key performer for Surrey in the last two years and his retirement will leave a big gap to fill.

Murtagh admitted: “He was someone who could bowl well at the death and was a powerful hitter, both of which are pretty important roles.

“We need to find somebody to fill his boots, and they are big boots to fill. I would like to bowl at the death, and I expect a lot of the squad will be putting their hand up to do that.”

Harbhajan Singh could be a potent weapon for Surrey

Despite the loss of Hollioake, Surrey possess one of the strongest squads on paper and Murtagh highlighted a few of the individuals who could be the hero this time around.

“Ali Brown is always going to be a big threat, and James Benning has done well this year,” he remarked. “They are both very dangerous hitters and if they get going they could be very exciting to watch.

“If Harbhajan Singh is still here then he and Nayan Doshi could be major assets. Doshi had great success in the competition last year. I think bowling has been our strength.”

However Murtagh clearly hopes it will be third time lucky for him and that 2005 will be his year to take centre stage.