JON LEWIS says he is at Surrey to win things – and he wants this year to be the year those dreams turn into reality.
Lewis has been a consistent performer over the years for Gloucestershire, twice being the highest English qualified wicket-taker in the County Championship.
He also helped Gloucestershire to a string of one-day success in the late 1990s and early 2000s and played one Test match for England in 2006, but two of the major domestic trophies have eluded him – something he is keen to address this year at Surrey.
He said: "I have achieved a lot in my career and statistics are great.
"But I have not won the County Championship or the Twenty20 and they are trophies I want to get my hands on. The whole reason I joined Surrey was to compete in all forms and to win things and that is the challenge for me."
Last year was a traumatic year for the club following the death of promising batsman Tom Maynard, with Surrey eventually escaping relegation from Division One late on in the season.
But this year the club has loftier ambitions and following a good pre-season in South Africa, Surrey are ready to fight again on all fronts, with many people in the cricketing world tipping them for honours this season.
That is largely due to the club's winter signings, having been boosted by the arrival of new captain Graeme Smith and experienced duo Vikram Solanki and Gary Keedy.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will also be joining Surrey in June on a two-month deal to help provide cover while Smith captains South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy.
And Lewis said that such high profile signings show the ambition of the club.
"They are two absolutely unbelievable signings," he said.
"These guys are fantastic cricketers and my first impression of Graeme [Smith] is that he is an exceptional guy.
"When he speaks, people listen and he is a real leader. He is well respected within the game and it is just exciting for me as a cricketer to be playing with these guys, who have been two of the best players over the last ten to 15 years."
Meanwhile, at the age of 38, Lewis says his own experience will be key to helping him fulfil his role within the squad.
He said: "I see it as a massively important part of my role to help the younger players within the squad. I have been lucky to have played for many years and play with some great players and if I can pass some of that on to the younger players, then that is all for the better."
