STEWART Walters says he would love to become Surrey captain on a full time basis when current skipper Mark Butcher retires.

The young batsman was a surprise choice to stand in for Butcher at last week's Guildford festival but impressed in the role during the Brown Caps County Championship draw with Essex.

And Australian born Walters even capped his first game in charge with a career best 142.

He said: "It was a great week for me. It was all a bit of a rush. I did think it was going to happen but didn't think Chris would ask me as soon as he did.

"But when it was confirmed that Mark wouldn't be able to play Chris came to me and asked me straight if I'd do it. It was a huge honour for me and something I'd love to do again."

Adam's decision to give the captaincy to Walters was a huge surprise considering Usman Afzaal and Michael Brown, who have both captained the side this season, were in the side as was Mark Ramprakash who led the Brown Caps for most of last season.

While Walters has experience of skippering the county's second XI he has hardly established himself in the first team and going into the game had a first class average of just 18.75.

However, Walters believes he is a good enough player to establish himself in the side which would allow him to become skipper permanently.

"I know I haven't scored enough runs up until now and I don't think I've batted anything like my full potential .

"But I enjoyed the challenge of batting up the order and to get a big important hundred has given me the confidence to go on and do it again."

In the Championship match with Essex Walter's first act was to lose the toss. However, the Brown Caps got off to a flying start with the Eagles in some trouble at 88-4.

Chris Jordan, back in the side after injury, struck twice early while there was a wicket each for Jade Dernbach and Tim Linley.

But significant partnerships between Ryan ten Doeschate and James Foster, and then ten Doeschate and Graham Napier helped Essex battle their way to 401 all out.

In reply Walters was at the crease quicker than he would have liked as both Brown and Ramprakash were back in pavilion with less than 30 on the board.

But despite the further loss of Jonathan Batty, Walters and Afzaal dominated the visitor's bowling. Their 222 run partnership gave the Brown Caps an excellent chance of building a lead.

However, it was not to be as once the dangerous duo were dismissed an almighty batting collapse saw Surrey slump to just 352-8.

With maximum batting points secured Walters took the unusual step of declaring behind to see if he could force something to happen on the final afternoon.

As it was Essex cruised to 201-3 at stumps as they batted out the draw, but the attacking intent was clearly there from Walters.

He said: "I'd always look to win a game if possible. We weren't really going anywhere and I thought if we got a few early wickets we might be able to make something happen.

"Sometimes you have to take a risk to get a win but the way the points are distributed in the Championship makes it worth it as drawing games doesn't really help you very much."

Walters is expected to continue to deputise for Butcher while the skipper is injured in the Championship and has also been told he will be captain whatever happens during the Brown Caps Pro-40 campaign.

"I think that is the plan but I'm just trying to take it one game at a time," he said.

The Brown Caps intend to use the Pro-40 competition to blood some of their younger players this season and Walters believes all the youngsters feel they have a chance under Adams.

He said: "Chris coming in has been fantastic for the club. He is a really good man manager and everyone feels like they can go and talk to him about anything.

"We have some really talented young players at the club and we know everyone will get the opportunity to show what they can do.

"We have a chance of getting promoted in the Championship but this is a re-building year and we are all looking forward to the future."

SURREY opener Scott Newman will spend the next four weeks playing for Nottinghamshire on a loan deal due to lack of first team opportunities at the Brit Oval.

The 29-year-old left hander made his debut back in 2002 and since then has played in 93 first class matches. He will be available for selection for Nottinghamshire's LV County Championship match against Somerset at Taunton next week.

Newman has been a Surrey regular for the past six years but lost his place under new cricket manager Chris Adams this season. His last first team game for Surrey this was against Essex on June 25 and he has been told he has no future at the club.