After their season to forget Surrey have already made changes for next summer, signing opening batsman Michael Brown from Hampshire on a two year deal.

Brown, 28, has a First Class average of 34.20 and for the past two seasons has been named as The Hawk’s batsman of the year.

During the 2008 season, Brown had the second highest First Class average in a Hampshire side that finished third in the LV County Championship Division One, scoring 940 runs at 40.86, with a hundred and six fifties.

Brown is looking forward to linking up with the Surrey squad and says he hopes to contribute to the team in all areas.

He said: "I am very much looking forward to representing Surrey and will endeavour to contribute both on and off the field to the team playing winning cricket in all forms of the game."

Gus MacKay the Managing Director of Surrey Cricket added: “The acquisition of Michael Brown is great news for Surrey County Cricket Club.

"He was a big player for Hampshire last season and scored a lot of important runs. At the age of 28 he has a long road ahead of him and everyone at the Brit Oval is confident he can fulfil his potential and be a key man at Surrey for years to come.”