By Ben Horne
September 23 2002

George Beechey recently interviewed Surrey batsman Scott Newman. Newman has only played a few games for Surrey and he has shown that he has a lot of potential. Find out what he felt like when he scored 99 and who he thought the dressing joker was. George Beechy recently interviewed Surrey batsman Scott Newman. Newman has only played a few games for Surrey and he has shown that he has a lot of potential. Find out what he felt like when he scored 99 and who he thought the dressing joker was.

1. What did it feel like to hit 99 on debut?

It was good. At the start of the day I would have taken 99. Obviously when you hit 99 you are disappointed you don’t get the extra single. I was dropped, a very easy catch at mid off by Robin Smith on 40 odd and then Shaun Udal dropped me again on 40, caught and bowled so I was happy with the result.

2 What did it feel like to come so close too 200?

Just the opportunity to get close to 200 was good. When you hit a big like that. I was very happy. It was in my mind too get 200 but I did not. It would have been nice.

2. Does Ian Ward help you when you are batting?

Definitely. When I was in the 90’s I was there for like 45 minutes. He kept telling me to relax and get through ii and he did help me a lot.

4. What does it fell like now you are playing in the first team compared when you are playing in the second team?

It is a big step up. You are surrounded by some of the best players in the world and in the country. It is amazing.

5. What advice would you have for younger cricket players?

Train hard and have belief in your self that you can make it.

6. Who is the dressing room joker?

That will be Nadeem Shahid.

7. Are you involved in any other sports apart from cricket?

Not really I used to play Rugby, football and most sports at school. Cricket takes up most of my time now.

7b what foot ball team do you support

Manchester United.

8. How do you compare the NUL to the county championship and which do you prefer?

I prefer first class cricket, the four-day game. The one-day game is good fun. It is more intense; the skill levels have got to be very high. You get to see some good cricket.

9 What do you think has been your most difficult challenge so far?

Making the step up really and to keep continually scoring runs. Being at the top of your game at 100% of the time like you have to bat at Surrey.

10. You have broken into the first team season, do you think you have done enough to become a regular?

You never do enough at this club at the end of the day. You have to keep doing it year in year out to be a person in the first team. Even the big guys know that all the youngsters like Clarky, myself, Sampson, Murtagh and Carbrrey are all pushing for spots and all want to push hard. So you always got to be on top of your game.

10B Do you think you will in the first team next year?

Well that is not in my hands all I got to do is keep scoring consistently and I will leave that up too the selectors.