Jonathan Batty

Jonathan Neil Batty (born 18 April 1974 in Chesterfield, Derbyshire) is an English cricketer who plays for Surrey County Cricket Club. He is 5 ft 10 in tall and a wicket-keeper. Batty captained Surrey in 2004. However, after a poor season, which saw Surrey relegated in the Sunday League, Batty was replaced in this position by Mark Butcher.

Batty left Durham University in 1993 and move to Hampshire County Cricket Club. However, he was not retained. He carried on in minor county cricket before being offered contracts with Somerset and Surrey, and he chose to become Surrey's third-choice wicket-keeper after Graham Kersey and Alec Stewart. Kersey, however, died from injuries in a car crash in Australia before Batty arrived at the Oval, and Stewart was often away on England duties - giving Batty his first team chance. When Mark Butcher was away playing for England, Batty had a chance to open the batting, and in 2003 his batting average had climbed to an impressive 57.

Batty equalled the world record for most catches in an innings with 8, against Kent at The Oval in 2004. He is now considered to be one of the best wicket keepers in England but hardly gets a mention when it comes to the national side. Chairman of selectors, David Graveney has said Batty's performances do not go un-noticed and he's a very good player.

References

* [http://content.cricinfo.com/england/content/player/9045.html Cricinfo page on Jonathan Batty]
* [http://www.surreycricket.com/team/player-profiles/jonathan-batty,1,PP.html Surrey CCC player profile]