Surrey are back in LV county Championship Division One for 2012 and looking to impress with an exciting brand of cricket and a real quality addition in the shape of Jacques Rudolph. 

Rory Hamilton-Brown’s side look to have real quality in both the batting and bowling departments and should make quite an impression in Division One, while in Rudolph they have a player who can dominate the opposition.

The South African opening batsman has pedigree in the County Championship and in four years for Yorkshire scored over 8,000 runs and was named players' player and fans' player of the year in 2008.

The 30-year-old would waltz into any county side in England and Surrey have pulled off a real coup to bring him to the club – and Rudolph is likely to be a massive player as Surrey make that step back up into County Championship Division One.

Surrey team director Chris Adams admitted it would be a “huge advantage” to them to have such a quality, and proven, opening batsman for them and many hopes are likely to be pinned on Rudolph’s shoulders.

"Signing a player of Jacques Rudolph's undoubted capabilities and experience is a great boost to our side at the start of the campaign,” he added.

Murali Kartik will take over from Rudolph following the end of the IPL and is also likely to play a major role as Surrey look to defend the Clydesdale Bank Pro40 tournament they won in 2011. There are big ambitions at Surrey for 2012 and it they play their best cricket the county could be lifting trophies before the year ends.

Betfair cricket odds and Betfair IPL odds are dependent on thedevelopment of the story.