Jonathan Batty's appointment to replace Adam Hollioake as Surrey captain at the end of 2003 was a surprising move by a county who had become identifiable for big-name signings and high-profile players. Batty was one of the non-household names at The Oval, a journeyman pro who had made the most of circumstances to forge a place in a winning side. But his tenure at the helm was to last only one season, as he was replaced by the higher profile Mark Butcher After graduating from Durham in 1993 he spent a season at Hampshire but was not retained and then trialed without success at Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Middlesex, Surrey and Somerset. He kept plugging away, playing for British Universities, Oxfordshire and Minor Counties, before he received offers for 1997 from Somerset and Surrey. He opted to be third-string keeper at The Oval behind Graham Kersey and Alec Stewart. Before Batty even arrived, Kersey was fatally injured in a car crash in Australia. With Stewart mostly away on England duty, Batty became a regular. "Someone else's terrible misfortune worked in my favour," he said. Mark Butcher's absence led to him being asked to open, and between 2001 and 2003 his Championship average rocketed from 16 to 35 to 57.
Martin Williamson September 2004

Equalled world record for catches in an innings (8) Surrey v Kent, The Oval, May, 2004

• Surrey take control thanks to Batty (Jun 30, 2008)
  
• Batty leads Surrey down the slow lane (Jun 29, 2008)
  
• Kent's late flurry buries Surrey (May 5, 2008)
  
• Surrey course to important win (Sep 9, 2007)
  
• Batty guides Surrey to the draw (Aug 16, 2007)
  

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Jul 0, 2008 A chart detailing the order of merit of England's eligible wicketkeepers, from The Wisden Cricketer magazine © The Wisden Cricketer

Jun 30, 2008 Jonathan Batty square drives during his century © Getty Images

Jun 27, 2008 Jon Batty launches down the ground © Getty Images

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