Hollioake's last hurrah

Adam Hollioake was one of Surrey's most successful captains

Adam Hollioake has bowed out of county cricket after nearly 15 years at Surrey where he enjoyed great success.

The all-rounder, who captained England in one-day cricket, quit first-class cricket earlier in the season and has now retired from all forms of the game following Surrey Lions' totesport League clash with Lancashire Lightning at Old Trafford.

The 32-year-old was captain of the south London club for seven years during which time they won eight trophies, including three championship titles in four years.

Reflecting on Surrey's success, Hollioake told ecb.co.uk: “It was down to quality. We have some very good cricketers and we could not have done it without that quality. We also have a very professional working environment, which helps.”

During Hollioake’s time at the club he has seen many changes, with perhaps the most influential of those being in 1996.

“David Gilbert decided to have the changing room walls pulled down between the first and second XI areas," he added. "This completely banished seniority.”

Hollioake insists he was a player more than a captain

Banishing seniority could be Hollioake’s own mantra. He was a “players’ captain”.

“When I became captain I was advised to distance myself from the rest of team," revealed Hollioake. "I was told I couldn’t have the respect I needed if I was everyone’s friend.

"It was the worst advice I have ever been given and I did the total opposite. I was always a player first and a captain second.”

Hollioake’s success as Surrey skipper led to him being given a spell as England’s one-day captain in 1997, a challenge for which he feels he was not ready.

He admitted: “I was not at my peak. I was still trying to cement my place in the team. I had only played five games before I took over. I wasn’t ready for the responsibility.”

Hollioake has also encouraged England to stick with the current crop of youngsters coming through into the squad if they are to be as successful in one-day cricket as they have been in Tests.

“It is important that they stick with players and give them an opportunity," urged Hollioake.

"There is a lot of pressure to bring in young cricketers and then the selectors feel the pressure if the younger guys don’t do well. They shouldn’t react to the pressure, but just be patient.”

Patience is, by his own admittance, not one of Hollioake’s own virtues. His short attention span meant that Twenty20 cricket was ideal for him.

“It meant I didn’t have to concentrate for very long," said Hollioake, who captained Surrey to victory in the inaugural Twenty20 Cup in 2003.

"It is short and action packed for a small period of time. I suppose this brings it into line with other sports that I played whilst growing up, like soccer and rugby.”

Hollioake shone in Twenty20 cricket

Hollioake found his slower ball to be particularly effective in this form of cricket. In 2004 he was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 at an average of 10.4 as Surrey again reached the final.

“It was something I had to work on. I didn’t really have a slower ball until I was about 22. Injuries meant I wasn’t able to bowl as fast, so I decided it was time I used a bit of skill, rather than just pace.”

However, Hollioake has ruled out the possibility of returning to play for England in the international Twenty20 match against Australia next year.

He revealed: “I might be tempted to come over to watch it but there are more important things in my life now than cricket. It would be wrong of the selectors to pick me, knowing that.”

Hollioake will miss the banter with his team-mates

Hollioake is returning to the country of his birth, Australia, as both he and his wife have family over there with whom they want to be able to spend more time.

Hollioake is not the type to sit back and enjoy the sun, sea and sand though; he will be channelling his energies into a property development business in Perth, which he has been involved with for six years.

Moving away from Surrey and creating a new life has its drawbacks though.

“I’ll miss the camaraderie of playing cricket and the dressing room banter," he said. "But it will be nice not to have to spend time travelling on motorways and in hotels. And I won’t miss warming-up in the morning!”

Hollioake’s only regret is that he didn’t win more games.

He said: “The most important part of playing cricket is winning. I did win more than I lost though.”

Surrey's record during Hollioake's playing days backs up that statement and his departure marks the end of an era in the club's history.