SURREY'S bowling guru Martin Bicknell believes the county have a bright future despite the Brown Caps' inconsistent form this summer.

Since retiring from the first class game three years ago Bicknell has stayed heavily involved with the county he represented for the best part of two decades.

Having taken over 1,000 wickets for the club, Bicknell now passes on his wisdom to the next generation as Surrey's bowling coach.

Having the opportunity to work closely with some of the youngsters at the Oval, Bicknell is positive about the future under the stewardship of cricket manager Chris Adams.

"Obviously it's a new regime and things are taking a bit of time to come together, but there is a lot of talent at the club," he said.

"We're trying to build a successful Surrey based team that will do well not just for the next two or three years, but the next 10 years.

"Certainly on the bowling front we have some very exciting prospects. Jade Dernbach has done very well this season, Chris Jordan is a natural talent and Stuart Meaker can bowl 90mph.

"There are also a few younger guys who are knocking on the door as well. George Edwards is certainly one to watch."

Sixteen-year-old Edwards is making big strides in the county's academy and took his first five wicket haul for Surrey last week, recording figures of 5-73 for the second XI against Durham in Purley.

It is prospects like Edwards that make Bicknell, who was an integral part of the Surrey team that dominated county cricket throughout the 1990s, confident that better times are around the corner.

"It won't happen overnight," he said. "But I do feel like we're making progress. We're competitive and could still have a very exciting end to the season."