on graduating from durham university in 1995, batty joined hampshire. however, he was not retained. he continued his career on in minor county cricket before being offered contracts with somerset and surrey. he chose to become surrey's third-choice wicket-keeper after graham kersey and alec stewart. kersey, however, died from injuries in a car crash in australia. with stewart often unavailable to surrey due to england duties, batty was able to enjoy regular first team action, often opening the batting when mark butcher was also playing for england. batty was a regular player in surrey's sustained success, winning three county championships around the turn of the century.