Image Credit- Surrey CCC
Alec Stewart has
stated that, following 11 years in the position, he will leave Surrey as
director of cricket at the end of 2024.
Having been a mainstay of the team since he signed his first professional
contract in 1981, Stewart, 60, has presided over one of the most successful
periods in Surrey’s history, which includes back-to-back County Championships
in 2022 and 2023 as well as an additional title in 2018.
But in January of last year, he took a short leave of absence to assist in
caring for his wife Lynn, who has been receiving cancer treatment. Now, he
feels the time has come to give his family his whole attention while the club
looks for a long-term replacement.
Apart from his
accomplishments with Surrey, Stewart represented England in a then-record 133
Test matches from 1990 to 2003. It is believed that he declined the offer to
take over as England’s head coach in 2019 and as their new selector in 2022.
“Without a
doubt, this has been the toughest decision of my working career, but after
careful consideration I will be stepping down from my role as Director of
Cricket at the end of this calendar year,” Stewart said. “The main
reason for informing the club at this point in time is to give them enough
notice to find a suitable replacement.
“Since November 2013, I have given this job my total commitment and it has
been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the greatest cricket club in the
world. However, the job is not one that you can just leave at the ground, as it
demands 24/7 attention. As people may know, my wife has been battling cancer
since 2013 and I want to give her, and my family, more of my time over the
coming years than this job allows.”
The players and
staff were informed of Stewart’s retirement on Thursday, and considering
Surrey’s standing in the English game, the hunt for a replacement is expected
to be thorough. The club’s objectives for this year include growing the women’s
division of the game and fortifying its relationship with Oval Invincibles in
the Hundred, possibly through the construction of a new stadium.
Under Stewart’s leadership, Surrey has developed a strong dressing-room culture
and produced nine young players who have gone on to represent England,
including Ollie Pope, Sam Curran, and Will Jacks.