"Open and honest" winter re-set has left players with renewed hunger for success, says Gareth Batty

Batty, who coached Rory Burns’s team to County Championship titles in each of his first three years in the job, admits Surrey were too often not quite on their game as their bid for a fourth successive triumph came up just short last September.

“We had wonderful success for three years but whether we like it or not it is very difficult for any team, in any sport, to keep on winning all the time,” said Batty.

“I think that sometimes you take winning for granted a little bit. We’re all human beings and to keep winning for five or six years on the trot – well, very few do that.