Surrey quartet released by Adams

By djones

CHRIS ADAMS has continued to shape his Surrey squad of the future by announcing the release of four players at the end of the current season.

Fast bowler Jimmy Ormond, batsmen Chris Murtagh, spinner Murtaza Hussain and all rounder James Benning will not have their contracts renewed next year.

The four players, who are now free to speak to other clubs, are not part of Adams' long term plans as he seeks to trim the size of his squad.

Ormond, 31, has taken 221 first-class wickets for Surrey at an average of 34.15. He particularly shone for the club in Twenty20 cricket, taking 18 wickets at 19.94 and bowling Surrey to victory at the inaugural Twenty20 finals day with superb figures of 4-11 from four overs.

His best first-class bowling for the club came at Cardiff in 2005, when his 7-63 helped Surrey to victory over Glamorgan. He also played in two Test matches for England, counting all time greats Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid as his two Test scalps.

Benning, 26, was made available for loan earlier in the season. He made his first-class debut for Surrey in 2003 and has scored 1,642 runs for the club at an average of 31.57. His right arm seam bowling has been more effective in limited overs cricket, proven by a List A average of 35.06.

Although he has never been able to achieve regular first team selection, he has always been a popular player with supporters and his finest hour came when he smashed 152 off 134 balls to help Surrey to a 50 over world record total of 496-4 in April 2007. The record still stands to this day.

Young batsman Murtagh, 24, is a graduate of the Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy but has been unable to establish himself at first team level. He played 17 matches for the club, recording a highest score of 74 and also captained the successful second XI earlier this season.

Off spinner Murtaza, 34, has come to the end of a two and a half year spell at Surrey during which he took 37 first-class wickets at 39.78. Although the Pakistani often struggled to hold down a regular place in the side, he always provided his captain with a reliable and economical option to hold down an end.

Surrey's Managing Director of Cricket Gus Mackay said: "As we build for the long term future of Surrey Cricket, it has become clear that these four players will not figure in our plans for next season and we have acted now to give them the best possible chance of finding employment.

"I would like to pay tribute to them all for the contribution they have made to the club and wish them well for the future."