Adams: Appointing RHB is a gamble (From The Argus)

Adams: Appointing RHB is a gamble

10:30am Thursday 24th December 2009 in

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Chris Adams admits making Rory Hamilton-Brown captain of Surrey at 22 is a "gamble."

But Adams believes it will pay off.

Hamilton-Brown is leaving Sussex after just two years to return to the Oval after the counties agreed a compensation package today on the remaining year of his contract.

Adams flew to South Africa and back in the space of 36 hours last week to persuade Hamilton-Brown to take the reins after Sussex agreed that Surrey, who made their approach on November 16, could talk to him.

Adams, the former Sussex captain, said: "He hasn't got a lot of first-class experience and he is only 22 but I think he will do a magnificent job.

"Is it a gamble? Professional sport is one big gamble. Is it a risk? If it is, it's a calculated risk but I used to take risks every time I went out to bat. That is the nature of the beast."

Adams revealed that he identified Hamilton-Brown's captaincy potential when they were Sussex team-mates in 2008.

He added: "Rory has developed so much over the last two years. He is a special lad and we saw that when we took him to Sussex in the first place.

"It is a good time for him to be coming back to Surrey. Leaving Sussex has not been easy for Rory - it's a terrific place and I know it will always have a special place in his heart, as it does mine after 11 years.

"But I now have Surrey's interests at heart and I have to do my job to the best of my ability."