Stuart Meaker has had it tough but I’m backing him to deliver goods for Surrey, writes Gareth Batty

One of the hardest jobs for a captain is to tell a player he has been left out of the team and on many occasions this season, I have had that conversation with Stuart Meaker.

Meaks is a really talented bowler, one of the quickest in the country when he is at his best but this summer has been frustrating for him.

That is why I was so impressed with how he performed against Essex on Wednesday and I hope he can deliver more of the same against Middlesex tonight. Don’t forget that Meaks hadn’t played a Twenty20 for the first team since 2014. But against Essex, it was like he’d never been away: he bowled quickly and accurately, and produced his slower balls and other variations at the right moments. He took two for 27 in his four overs and was a massive part of our victory.

Meaks has nearly always taken it well when he has been left out. He will feel he should have been playing regularly and I can understand that. But he has bought in to what is needed from him and he deserved his success.

I am hoping he comes into his own during the rest of July and in August. As the pitches get flatter, so fast bowlers gain an advantage — and Meaks is someone who can bowl above 90mph.

Quicks will always have their share of aches and pains and Meaks has had some bad luck with injuries over the years. At the moment, though, he is in great physical shape. I know it was mentioned that he might leave on loan but that was never an option for us. Fast bowlers pick up injuries and Meaks is far too good a player to be allowed to leave Surrey, even temporarily.

The schedule this summer has been hard on bowlers like Meaks. With nearly all Championship cricket taking place in spring and autumn, the conditions favour bowlers who rely on movement off the pitch to take wickets.

For the same reason, some spinners have also found it hard to make an impact in first-class cricket. Yet Meaks overcame those obstacles to produce the goods against Essex. I am sure there is plenty more to come.