Roland-Jones excited for Surrey derby

Toby Roland-Jones says he is happy to be running into bowling form just in time for the cross-Thames trip to take on Surrey next week.

The Middlesex fast bowler impressed with his 5-61 in the rain-ravaged draw against Nottinghamshire at Lord’s this week.

And Ashford-born Roland-Jones is looking forward to a first County Championship meeting with Surrey since 2013, starting on Sunday.

“We’ve not had the chance to play them in the Championship for a couple of years but they’re back up in division one now and it’s always a great atmosphere when we play them because of the historic rivalry,” he said.

“It’s special for both teams. As a Middlesex lad, this is exactly the game you want to play in and there’s always an added bit of spice.”

Roland-Jones was pleased to be among the wickets against Nottinghamshire and expects his side’s bowling attack to get better as conditions settle down.

He said: “I felt as though my rhythm was lacking in our first three Championship games, and the bad weather has not helped, but in this last game I felt close to getting to where I want to be with my bowling.

“There have also been better pitches around this season, and that’s another factor, but in the Notts game I felt we saw our strengths as a bowling unit coming through.

“I think bowlers around the country may have been caught a little bit off guard by the improved pitch conditions but a lot of us will be looking to make a mark over the next few weeks.”