Print

[Manormanic]

Wondering on a forum isn't always the best thing, I think it's dangerous to speculate.
I think you have to take the fact that both RHB and JD say they didn't know about what Maynard got up to as the truth.

Yes and no - they are not as of now going to be convicted of anything, but they have to accept that they are tainted by suspicion until they can provide definitive proof of their innocence (because the amounts thjat are being talked about for Maynard's consumption are such that their defence that they did not know will not hold even a drop of water!).

[jamielsn15]

Absolutely no coincidence to me that the club are looking to world-class experienced players in Smith and Ponting to lead and mentor...

[Manormanic]

Absolutely no coincidence to me that the club are looking to world-class experienced players in Smith and Ponting to lead and mentor...

Surrey have had an odd culture for a few years now - buying up old county hacks and young up and coming players with nothing in between.  Smith and Ponting at least, even if they are not in the first flush of youth (hell, Punter is in the third flush of middle age!), will be more respected role models that the likes of Batty and Slogdonkey.

But - there have been unhealthy rumours about the Surrey dressing room going back to the Hollioake era.  Something needs to be done about it!

[Kieron_BT]

Really do hope its not true and until someone says otherwise i'd like to think not but I do hope that RHB didn't move because he was doing a similar thing to TM and wanted to get away before he was next.

Just strikes me as him possibly getting away from it all and meaning there is a culture of this at Surrey

I will say it again though, I hope its not true

[Manormanic]

Have to say, that was also my first thought - he and Maynard had been close since school and, in the absence of a more credible defence such as "well, I knew he dabbled but we each make our choices - I chose to abstain", it does look somewhat dubious...

[Buzz]

So the jury has been directed to give a verdict of Accidental Death or Narrative.
not sure it matters much which, but I suspect it will be Narrative Accidental Death, based on what has been reported.

Neither will have much impact, the publication of the culture at the club is a damming indictment on Chris Adams

[Manormanic]

The best thing that ever happened to Yorkshire - Chris Adams deciding not to join us!

[justnotcricket86]

It may not be a culture Buzz, it seems as Tom Maynard liked the naughty stuff a bit too much which can happen when young men get a decent salary at their age, it's the lifestyle in a lot of cases. Just because he came unstuck (in a terrible and tragic way) - that doesn't mean to say the rest of the squad spend their free time dropping a load of pills and driving like loons. This may be news to Chris Adams himself?

Whatever happened, it's a bloody waste of a really talented player and man, and I hope it's an isolated incident. Cricket is the sport that doesn't want the headlines the footballers get.

[ppccopener]

whatever happened that night tom maynard's death was a tragedy, young guys earning big money at a young age can cause problems.Surrey seem to be throwing money at players these days,Maynard took the wrong route but i'd be amazed if he was the only one and I have no idea what goes on at Surrey...
RHB's big move back to a more family club-Sussex-is the best thing he's ever done.
Away from London,away from the distractions and back to people who know him well.

I'm absolutley sure Smith coming to Surrey is for a reason......
I've never been convinced by Chris Adams, he's a player who never really made it and oozes arrogance without backing it up.
Expect Smith to run the show lock,stock and barrel.
Ponting is also a great signing-these guys know how to lead on and off the field.
like him or hate them Ponting and Smith have what it takes to straighten out any problems.

[Alvaro]

I expect that Smith and Ponting are going for profile and to win stuff, not for pastoral care.

[Buzz]

I expect that Smith and Ponting are going for profile and to win stuff lots of money, not for pastoral care.

I think it will be the example they set that is what the club is looking for.
I suspect Ponting has a nice little luctrative TV/Radio commentary gig lined up too.

[Manormanic]

I'd be shocked if Ponting does nothing at all during the Ahses - he's an eloquent speaker when he wants to be and his name has cachet.  TMS, possibly?  If not, one of the Australian broadcasters.

[ppccopener]

Smith is on a 3 year deal at Surrey, i'm sure the top brass there do want someone to lead from the front and change the culture there long term
I'm no fan of Smith but it's un-arguable he's a top leader

what he has done for South African cricket is remarkable

[justnotcricket86]

This from The Guardian this morning - decent insight from Ramps

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/feb/27/tom-maynard-drugs-mark-ramprakash

[Binsy]

Doesn't really shed that much light on anything. He was young and he was tempted. It will be more interesting to see whether it is a systematic problem across cricket or an isolated incident.