To mark the 50th anniversary of overseas players coming to county cricket in large numbers, we’ve asked an expert on each county to pick their top three for that club. Here’s Surrey, as selected by Mark Church, BBC radio commentator and Surrey expert.
1. SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ
Pakistan (1997-2008)
No one had really seen the doosra in county cricket before Saqi – it was so different. Even the Surrey fielders were struggling to work out what the hell was going on. It was a case of just trying to get enough runs on the board and then letting Saqi and Ian Salisbury loose. He was revolutionary and Surrey won three Championships while he was at the club (taking 424 first-class wickets across eight seasons at 21.86).
2. SYLVESTER CLARKE
West Indies (1979-88)
He was rapid, and everyone at Surrey talks about him in such high terms. His record for the county (591 first-class wickets at 18.99 and 202 List A wickets at 20.74) was phenomenal.
3. KUMAR SANGAKKARA
Sri Lanka (2015-17)
Sanga scored his runs when it mattered, took it very seriously and is also an amazing bloke.
