The squad including Chris Tremlett, Rory Burns, Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker, have been climbing at the on-site climbing wall, spinning and taking yoga sessions as part of their winter preparations.

Surrey Sports Park Chief Executive, Paul Blanchard, said: “We’re delighted to host the Surrey Cricket squad at Surrey Sports Park.

“We have a great relationship with the county team as their home of disabilities cricket, and we’re proud to have been able to accommodate the senior players for their winter training over the past few weeks.

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In front of three hundred eager fans, the calm and casual Kevin Pietersen answered questions about his upbringing, his technique, style and dismissals and his controversial autobiography which is an exposé on the inner workings of the national cricket team. Kevin has never been far away from media attention after bursting onto the global stage with his inspirational performances that helped lead England to winning the 2005 home Ashes series. That series has since been coined as possibly the best ever and it propelled a young KP to world fame with his big grin, South African accent and audacious bleached hair.

Pietersen has since been best known for his nonchalant battling style that has seen audiences grin with glee and pull their hair out in equal measure throughout his career. He is often referred to as the most naturally talented English batsman that has ever played and as a ‘genius’, but despite his work ethic, love for the game and commitment to the country (despite being born and raised in South Africa), he has always been a controversial figure with the English media and public.

The ‘switch-hit’ shot that is played by a variety of the world’s best batsman nowadays, was originally his creation and proved so contentious at the time that it provoked the M.C.C to call an emergency meeting just days after to talk of the legitimacy of the shot. In the summer of 2012, KP was dropped from the team after it was leaked that the England player had been in touch with opposition South African players, possibly divulging tactical information about his captain Andrew Strauss and Head Coach, Andy Flower.

Kevin Pietersen and Andy Flower pictured arguing. Image sourced from: http://tinyurl.com/lc2y8nn

A couple of months later, KP was reintegrated into the team after an investigation and became an integral part of the successful touring party of India that winter, before playing back to back Ashes series in 2013 that ultimately proved to be his last. He was England’s top run scorer in the disastrous away Ashes series that saw the retirement of Graeme Swann mid-way through, Jonathon Trott leave for stress-related reasons and Vice-Captain, Matt Prior dropped due to poor form. Afterwards, he was released from his contract by the ECB, stating that his disengagement with the team had now made his position within the setup untenable, affectively ending his international career.

His autobiography and the talks he’s done over the past two weeks have been his way of trying to balance the scales that he felt had mounted against him. Still hugely popular and charismatic, there are an abundance of people who would still like to know exactly why this brilliantly talented player that was named Man of the Tournament in England’s only World Cup success cannot be considered worthy of a place in the national side.

However, the bitter row with ex-England coach Andy Flower and player Matt Prior still blazes and is probably detrimental to English cricket, so whilst the Andrew Strauss saga may have been dealt with swiftly, there appears to be no way back now.

The audience at the Mandolay was treated to an insight into the person that makes up KP and with a question and answer session and book signing, there was plenty of access to this global sports star that you do not normally get. He joked about some of the more controversial elements, whilst giving great advice to a youngster and remained adamant as ever that he is not a ‘special’ player, just someone who works really hard and has taken his opportunity.

Born in South Africa, but made in England, Kevin Pietersen is one of those enigmatic characters that is always going to split opinion, however, no one could question his talent, achievements with and dedication to English cricket. It will not be too long, before KP is on the front pages again for something or other, let’s hope that as sports fans it’s because of cricketing reasons.

Congratulations to Jim Parks, Creative Director and the Guildford Book Festival team for putting on a fabulous event that proved both popular and intriguing- a rare chance to see a genuine celebrity in Guildford was certainly not passed up!

James Martin

Image at top pictured by Rachael Lowndes

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European Captain, Paul McGinley, has already participated in the support program – which lasted almost four hours at Prime Health and is enthusiastic about the process, which he says could make a significant difference during The Ryder Cup. He visited the center a few weeks ago for his assessment.

Here is the full program on offer to the players by Prime Health.

The European Tour, European Tour Performance Institute and European Ryder Cup Committee is delighted to be partnering with Prime Health to provide comprehensive health & fitness support for potential competitors and their medical/therapy teams in the lead up to the 2014 Ryder Cup in Gleneagles, Scotland on 26-28 September.

Situated in the heart of Weybridge, Surrey and located only a 20 minute drive from Heathrow and Wentworth, Prime Health is a truly world class medical, diagnostic, therapy & fitness centre which has recently become a “Preferred Provider of Services” to the European Tour.

Founded in 2012 by ex European Tour physiotherapist Jonathan Shrewsbury, Prime Health brings together a large team of resident and visiting clinical specialists as wells as being home to some of the most advanced diagnostic equipment in the UK.

Prime Health is well versed in supporting elite sporting organisations having already been entrusted with looking after the England Rugby Football Union, Premiership Football Clubs, British Olympic Association, English Institute of Sport, England & GB Hockey, Harlequins RFC and London Irish RFC.

In order to optimise player preparations for the Ryder Cup Match, between 1 August and 21 September, Prime Health will be offering the services listed overleaf to any eligible player residing in the Top 10 World Ranking List or Top 10 in the European Tour Ryder Cup Rankings.

These services are complimentary and can be requested by either the players’ own medical/therapy team or through the ETPI’s Dr Roger Hawkes and Rob Hillman. All clinical information and results will remain confidential to the player and he alone will be able to nominate who reviews the information.

The services on offer:

Diagnostic Investigations/Treatments

• 3T MRI – unrivalled imaging clarity with additional specialist Cartilage Mapping and

Metal Artefact Reduction techniques

• Digital X-ray
• Ultrasound / Ultrasound Guided Injections

All radiology reporting will be conducted by musculoskeletal specialists including the European Tour Radiologist Dr Phil O’Connor and his team.

Private GP Services

• General Physical Examinations can be conducted by the GP Team including Respiratory Testing, Blood & Urine Analysis, ECG’s etc

Musculoskeletal Injury Screening

• Advising on the prevention of injury or examination of pre-existing injuries by Consultant Sports & Exercise Medicine Physicians

Functional Movement Screening

• Conducted by Justin Buckthorp – European Tour Strength & Conditioning Coach

Nutritional Therapy Testing & Advice

• Conducted by Alex Manos – Nutritional Therapist

Keep an eye out for the golfing competition where you could be in the chance to win a three-ball at the exclusive St. George’s hill.

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Cllr Stephen Mansbridge (pictured left), Leader of Guildford Borough Council said, “We very much welcome Surrey CCC to Guildford as their permanent second home. This new partnership is significant for residents across the borough, as well as visitors and existing users of this charitable site.”

“This joint opportunity also provides another attraction that builds on the town’s reputation for supporting major and community events. We hope many people will enjoy and benefit from the planned investment in this popular community facility.”

The Woodbridge Road ground has been the home of Guildford Cricket Club for over 100 years now and will continue to do so, whilst retaining the tradition of hosting first-class cricket. Every year for 76 years now, Guildford Cricket Club has hosted Surrey CCC as part of the summer festival of cricket and this exciting partnership will continue.

Chief Executive of Surrey CCC, Richard Gould said, “Guildford CC has a historic association with Surrey CCC that runs deep within the club. This year’s festival was the 76th consecutive staging of a Surrey first-class game in Guildford. The extension of those links – and creating a second home for Surrey in Guildford – is something we are confident will be welcomed by our Members, fans and players.”

The partnership aims to deliver a significant refurbishment of the Guildford CC Pavilion to make it a self-sustaining sports and community hub for Guildford with a wide variety of uses. The new partnership also aims to deliver cost effective management of the Woodbridge Road facility with an increased level of community ownership including involving Guildford Sea Cadets, who also use the site.

Surrey will make a large investment in the facilities at Woodbridge Road, creating a second home for the club that will see first team training, Second XI cricket and other related activities taking place at the ground with much greater regularity.

Robert Charles (pictured right), Chairman of Guildford Cricket Club, commented, “We are delighted that we are heading toward a new chapter in the life of the club with our own cricket secure here for another 75 years and a ground-breaking relationship with Surrey CCC that will bring an even higher profile to Guildford Cricket Club and the Borough. With a significant improvement in facilities the Guildford County Ground will become an unparalleled centre for club, county and community use.”

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