2021 brings lots of promise for Surrey Members, players, staff and everyone who cares about our great Club and The Kia Oval we call home.
After a tough year in 2020, there’s already lots to look forward over the next 12 months both on and off the pitch at The Kia Oval.
Here are 21 highlights of what’s to come in 2021. Feel like we’ve missed anything? Tweet us at @surreycricket!
New stand, new chapter
Since the end of the 2019 season, a large building site has taken over the Pavilion End of The Kia Oval.
Boosting the capacity of The Kia Oval to around 27,500, creating new events spaces and more world-class Members facilities and adjoining the Peter May Stand to the Micky Stewart Members’ Pavilion, it is on track for completion in 2021.
A fresh look to the County Championship
While it’s still more than four months until the county season officially starts, we know exactly how Surrey’s red-ball campaign will look in the first period of the summer.
With three groups of six going on to form three separate divisions after two matches against each opponent, the County Championship is stepping away from the two division model for 2021.
Hands up who’s counting down the days until the 8th April when we face Gloucestershire?
England contingent
Rory Burns, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes & Sam Curran are all involved in the England Test team with spinner Amar Virdi a reserve for January’s tour of Sri Lanka too.
Jason Roy, Tom Curran, Sam & Reece Topley are all around England’s white-ball sides as we head towards a T20 World Cup next winter.
Even when Surrey aren’t playing, the chances are a Surrey man will be wearing the Three Lions!
Xbox Family Zone
The best family night out in London?
The Xbox Family Zone will return for Vitality Blast fixtures at The Kia Oval with a whole host of games, activities and appearances from Surrey players & Caesar The Lion before and during the match from just £1.
India Test
With Days 1-4 of India’s early September Test match at The Kia Oval already sold out, those beautiful late summer days in South London are back with a bang!
India last played at The Kia Oval in 2018 with Sir Alastair Cook hitting a century in his final Test appearance and our own Sam Curran receiving the Man of the Series award.
Roy hoping to go big against Sri Lanka again
In Sri Lanka’s last ODI against England at The Kia Oval, Jason Roy hit a phenomenal 162 as England put on an incredible total back in 2016.
Sri Lanka return for a 50 over fixture on Thursday 1st July and with the match already sold out, it’s set to be a true party atmosphere.
Events are back!
The Kia Oval’s conference and events business has become one of the biggest and best in London over recent years.
All the events of 2020 have meant meetings, events and parties have become few and far between but in 2021 we’re all set to go again!
To make an enquiry, drop an email to events@kiaoval.com and one of our dedicated team will be back in touch as soon as possible.
Astonishing Amla
As one of the greatest batsmen of this generation, it’s truly a great sight every time we see Hashim Amla pull on the Three Feathers.
He came over in 2020 and shone in several Vitality Blast matches but with crowds limited, 2021 is the year when most Surrey Members will be seeing the South African legend in the middle at The Kia Oval in the flesh.
Young and raring to go
With 13 of our first team squad academy graduates and many of them like Will Jacks and Amar Virdi are still very much at the start of promising careers.
Left arm spinner Daniel Moriarty made a huge impression in his first summer as a Surrey man while Gus Atkinson & James Taylor also made the breakthrough in to the first team.
How will the younger members of our squad stand up in 2021? Who will shine and in what competitions?
Record breaking nights
T20 evenings at The Kia Oval have long since been the best summer’s night out in London with capacity crowds, family fun and big sixes aplenty.
That goes to a new level in 2021 when the new stand at The Kia Oval boosts our capacity to around 27,500. That means we’ll be able to welcome even more of you every night.
Make sure you’ll be part of that record breaking crowd by sorting your tickets when Vitality Blast fixtures are announced later this month.
Solanki’s second season
Assistant Coach and former Surrey & England batsman Vikram Solanki was named our Head Coach before last season began. An indifferent Bob Willis Trophy campaign and a spectacular run in the Vitality Blast later, he’s now preparing for his first full year in the job.
Having had longer to make his mark on the team, how will we go in 2021? We’ll hear from Solanki at regular intervals throughout the season to keep abreast of how he’s perceiving our progress.
Surrey Women back up incredible 2020
Hannah Jones’ Surrey Women side went unbeaten in 2020, winning the 20 over London Cup against Middlesex and 50 over London Championship with rivals Essex, Kent & Middlesex.
The first fixtures for 2021 have been announced, with Surrey to play an ECB Regional T20 competition against those local rivals in April & May. More fixtures will be announced in the new year as well South East Stars matches too.
Watch it all in style
All cricket at The Kia Oval is an occasion to savour but match day hospitality in one of our exclusive suites is an unforgettable experience.
Whether you’re Raising The Roof for a Thursday or Friday night of T20 cricket or sampling all the delights throughout an international match day, your friends, family or clients will be eager to return.
Interested in our packages? Email hospitality@kiaoval.com and one of our dedicated team will be in touch shortly.
Live streaming keeps on growing
2020 saw a brand new and improved live stream from The Kia Oval with production ramped up to include moving cameras giving viewers a full sense of the occasion.
When added to existing features like full commentary from the BBC’s Mark Church, instant replays and score graphics throughout, it brings an all-encompassing experience for those who wish they could be at The Kia Oval.
We’ll continue to adapt and change in 2021. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the coming months!
One better in the Blast?
Nine consecutive wins in the Vitality Blast took Surrey from the South Group all the way to the Edgbaston final.
It wasn’t to be against Nottinghamshire that night but everything that came together to carry us to the final will be back and better in 2021. Let’s get our hands on that trophy this year!
Members events
Match access, voting rights and retail discounts are not the only benefits of a Membership with Surrey County Cricket Club.
A range of events, including regular forums with players & staff, dinners & more will be available for Members wanting to get closer to the Club.
Returning from big winters
With Surrey men wearing the Three Lions in South Africa, Sri Lanka & India between the end of last season and the start of the next as well as plenty impressing in overseas T20 leagues, here’s hoping our players are ready to hit the ground running in 2021.
ACE keeps on growing
Not even formed 12 months ago and now an independent charity, the ACE Programme is set for an exciting 2021!
With such a stop start year it has been nice for the scholars to have a few back to back sessions and starting to find some flow . Brilliant being able to work hard and progress skills pic.twitter.com/rJbCfvOtXm
— The ACE Programme Charity (@AceProgramme) December 12, 2020
Designed to provide more opportunities for children of African-Caribbean origin in London & Surrey, the charity will now look to expand to other cities in the UK.
Royal London Cup
With The Hundred taking many of our senior players during the 50 over competition, this year’s Royal London Cup will be a major opportunity for the younger members of our squad to make a big impression.
With a number of options, our players will be hoping to stay fit and grasp that opportunity when it comes. The fixtures will be announced shortly.
Retail ramped up
As part of the new stand at The Kia Oval, we’ll have a brand new shop full of Surrey & England cricket merchandise.
Members can enjoy their 10% discount on items like replica shirts, fashion & gifts every single match day while the online store will be available throughout the entire year.
Six months of cricket!
While we managed to pack a lot in, only two months of cricket in 2020 wasn’t really enough was it?
With our competitive season starting on 8th April and potentially finishing at 1st October, there’s a full six months to come this year!
