By Martin Gough

Star-studded Surrey fell short of their own high standards last season, finishing third in the County Championship after winning three of the last four.

Batty puts his recent improvement down to a sports psychologist

But rather than following their old route of signing from other counties to strengthen the playing staff, the county have looked within the boundaries of The Oval for 2004.

As the walls literally come down at the south London venue, with a massive new stand set to be built, the home side are also undergoing a rebuilding phase.

But coach Steve Rixon, whose career included 13 Tests as Australia's wicket-keeper and who has since led New Zealand and New South Wales to success, is the only new face.

Becoming a leader from behind the stumps is a common theme as Jonathan Batty takes over as captain from the charismatic Adam Hollioake.

I think we've got a pretty good balance and one of the best squads in the country Jonathan Batty

Batty, who celebrates his 30th birthday on 14 April - two days before the opening Championship match - says only time will tell how his own style of captaincy develops.

"Adam's a lot more in-your-face and leads from the front. I'm quieter," he says.

"Captaincy's something I've always loved doing at whatever level and it's always helped take my game to new levels.

"Hopefully becoming captain will make me a more complete player."

Batty's ability, both wicket-keeper and as a batsman, was enough for Surrey to deem Alec Stewart surplus to requirements.

A Championship batting average of just under 16 in 2001 was converted to one just over 56, an improvement the player puts down to regular visits to a sport psychologist.

He is unwilling to go into specifics but explains his routine involves relaxation and focusing techniques

"I've got my own little routine that I go through which is very personalised," he says.

Losing someone like Ian Ward is going to put more pressure on the middle order Jonathan Batty

"It's something I've been meaning to do for a long time, something that top sports people in all fields use and I'm not sure we use it in cricket enough.

"Technically my batting hasn't improved drastically over the last six or seven years. It's been the mental side that's made great strides."

Batty blames the loss of key players, especially stalwart seamer Martin Bicknell, to England duty as a major factor in Surrey being over-hauled by Lancashire and Sussex last season.

But it meant the county were forced to blood young seamers Tim Murtagh and Paul Sampson.

Scott Newman, who scored 99 on his first-class debut, is likely to open the batting with Batty against defending champions Sussex on 16 April.

SURREY 2004 Manager: Steve Rixon Captain: Jonathan Batty Overseas players: Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq Players in: Neil Saker Players out: Alex Stewart, Ian Ward

In the visitors' dressing room will be Ian Ward, who ended an 11-year association with Surrey last year.

"It's going to be tough to start with," Batty admits.

"Losing someone like Ian Ward who has scored a lot of runs at the top of the order is going to put more pressure on the middle order."

But Batty is confident that Surrey's youth system provides the answer.

"You're got to respect the number of high quality youngsters we've got coming through," he adds.

"I think we've got a pretty good balance and one of the best - if not the best - squads in the country."