Banstead cricketer Matt Spriegel insists Test legends Alec Stewart and Graham Thorpe can stop him falling victim of second season syndrome with Surrey this summer.

The 22-year-old made his county debut last year and impressed enough to clock-up 301 first class runs and a maiden half-century as the Brown Caps were relegated from the Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division One without winning a game.

The Brit Oval side have invested heavily behind the scenes during the close season to bring in a brand new cricket management team headed by former Sussex captain Chris Adams.

Surrey have added former stars Thorpe, Stewart, Ian Salisbury and Martin Bicknell to their coaching team, bringing with them more than 250 Test caps worth of experience to the back room.

Young fast bowler Chris Jordan suffered an inconsistent year last time out having made a huge impact in 2007 and Loughborough University Spriegel - a part-time spinner himself - insists it won’t happen to him.

“It is not something I’ve really thought about. I’ve just been focused on this season and concentrating on improving my game,” he said.

“I feel in decent nick. I wasn’t able to play much abroad over the winter like some of the other guys because I’m still studying, but pre-season has been great.

“Working with Thorpey and Alec has been hugely beneficial. They were my role models when I was growing up and they have so much knowledge to pass on.

“I’ve been trying to improve all parts of my game. The way the game is going, if I can bat, bowl and field I stand a better chance of success in all forms of cricket.”

Surrey will be without injured skipper Mark Butcher for the start of the season and the management has promised to give a youthful squad its chance in the absence of some of the side’s bigger names.

And Spriegel thinks his experience of performing in a miserable 2008 campaign can give him the edge, as he goes in search of a regular slot in the one-day and championship sides.

“The toughest part of sport is losing and how you deal with it. You appreciate the good times more when you have been through the bad times, “ he added.

“Last year was mentally draining and I learnt a lot about what it took to be in the first team. It was mixed emotions for me to make my debut in a team that wasn’t doing so well.

“There maybe opportunities for me early in the season, but I know that if I don’t perform they won’t be there long. I’ve got to hit the ground running.”