Rory Burns hails Surrey character before lifting County Championship trophy
Saturday 29 September 2018 08:07, UK
Surrey captain Rory Burns hailed his team's character despite narrowly missing out on an unlikely victory over Essex on a dramatic final day at the Kia Oval.
Burns, speaking shortly before lifting the County Championship trophy despite his side's one-wicket defeat to Essex, told Sky Sports: "That's the fight we have shown all year.
"We have won games from different positions, we've led in games, we've come behind in games and to almost nick that one after being bowled out for 67 first innings, it's a show of our character.
"This club has waited a long time to lift this trophy again and I don't think anyone here wanted to miss it and the atmosphere just then was unbelievable. What a show for county cricket."
Burns was also paid tribute to former South Africa seamer Morne Morkel, who finished as the division's second-highest wicket-taker with 59 scalps at 14.32 apiece in what was Surrey's first title in 16 years.
He said: "He's been unbelievable this year. His return has been quite incredible and what he has done for that bowling unit, on and off the pitch, I can't speak highly enough of him. So very proud to have him in my team."
The skipper, who finished as the division's top run-scorer to earn a place on England's winter tour of Sri Lanka, added: "It's starting to be a little bit more real. I've said it's surreal a few times I think, but it's starting to hit home now.
"It will be nice to get my hands on the trophy. It's just been an unbelievable year."
