“I think probably the finest innings I saw in these matches was Peter May’s 211 not out at Nottingham in 1954. That was on the Saturday and it rained for the next two days. It was one of the few days when I found myself fielding in the covers – there was no point in having a slip because nothing was getting past the bat. Freddie Stocks and I were both in the covers and the balls were going past us like bullets. He was very powerful and had a fine cover drive and on-drive. Tom Graveney was a fine player but I regard May as the best post-war batsman of my time, remembering that Hutton and Compton developed before the war. “Times altered and I suppose Notts were no longer Surrey’s most important opponents. But I have fond memories of playing against one of the best county sides of all time, on big grounds and before large crowds. There was always a special atmosphere to the games and a good social side too.” Surrey v Nottinghamshire 147