Surrey overseas player Matt Nicholson has backed Epsom's Matt Spriegel to make a splash in first-class cricket after making his Brown Caps championship debut last week.

The 21-year-old Whitgift School old boy opened both innings for his club in the eight-wicket defeat to new Liverpool Victoria County Championship Division One leaders Somerset at his old school.

The Banstead star scored 20 and 22, as well as bowling three overs of off-spin, after replacing in-form skipper Mark Butcher at the top of the order.

Australian paceman Nicholson, who himself has a county century to his name already this season, has enjoyed an enviable first-class career Down Under and in the UK.

And he believes the young batsman already looks to the manor born, despite having only previously had eight one-day appearances under his belt.

"He looked like he belonged in first-class cricket when he walked out on to the pitch," he said. "He is a very enthusiastic and smart cricketer, who thinks a lot about the game.

"People at Surrey have a lot of time for him.

"The future is looking pretty bright here if we can hold on to the young players who are coming through."

After being named bowler of the year in 2007, Nicholson has struggled for wickets this season, but has contributed 320 runs at an average of 80.

Surrey, currently fourth in the table, have lost just once in the four-day game so far.

And Nicholson insists the side, and himself as an individual, are capable of making up lost ground on those at the top of the table.

"We haven't had one game where we have bowled, batted and fielded like a first-class team," he said.

"I think we are a good enough team to bounce back after the Twenty20.

"It is a matter of us all putting it together at the same time. If we do that we are going to be hard to stop.

"It is hard to put my finger on why we are not doing it at the moment. It probably comes down to individuals getting on top of their game.

"We are still in there. We have only lost one game and there are still 10 to go.

"The nature of the competition means if you win four or five games you are going to win the trophy."

Surrey kick off their Twenty20 campaign next Wednesday when they entertain Essex at the Oval.