Surrey have sprung a surprise by appointing Jonathan Batty as their captain for the 2004 season. Adam Hollioake has captained Surrey since 1997 but recently announced that next season - which is also his benefit year - will be his last at The Oval.

Batty, who is 29, made his Surrey debut in 1997 after winning a Blue at Oxford the previous year, and was awarded his county cap in 2001. Last season he scored three centuries on his way to a first-class batting average of 56.94, despite occasionally having to stand down when Alec Stewart was available. He also had to open the innings at times. But now Stewart has retired, and Batty's place behind the stumps is secure.

Paul Sheldon, Surrey's chief executive, explained: "Following Adam's decision to retire at the end of 2004, both he and the club decided that it was in the best interest of the team for the captaincy to be handed over at the beginning of next year. The club is deeply fortunate to have a man of Jonathan's calibre and integrity to take on this demanding job which he has described to me as 'One of the biggest jobs in world cricket'. We all wish him the very best of luck."

Keith Medlycott, Surrey's cricket manager, added: "JB has been an integral member of the team since he joined the club in 1997. He has worked tirelessly on his game and has now developed into a top-class keeper and opening batsman. He is a very popular member of the squad and will no doubt draw on the experience of both Adam and the senior players in the team to ensure that we can continue to build on our recent success."