“Irreplaceable” Alec Stewart is the outgoing director of cricket, and Surrey’s head coach Gareth Batty dedicated his team’s third consecutive County Championship title to him. Batty also said it was “delusional” to think anyone could equal the influence Stewart has had over his five decades at the Kia Oval.
After their closest rivals, Somerset, lost to Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford, Surrey, who had defeated Durham by ten wickets on Thursday afternoon to put themselves in contention for the title, were declared the winners just after 11 a.m. on Friday.
With this outcome, they lead Division One by 26 points heading into their final-round trip to Chelmsford the following week. However, the club’s 23rd county title had already sparked festivities at the Kia Oval on Friday.
“It’s a whole squad coming together and putting in a heck of a lot of work over a long period of time,” Gareth Batty stated to the BBC.
“It feels quite good to accomplish it three times in a row. We’re going to enjoy today and then get back to work tomorrow to repeat the entire process.
“It’s always the hardest to cross the finish line because other teams are attempting to catch up, strengthening their rosters and players.
“I feel like we are still keeping some distance, in a healthy, confident way, not in an arrogant way, because we’re working incredibly hard trying to improve our performances year in and year out.”
Despite Surrey’s obvious dominance on the county circuit, there were difficulties along the way, not the least of which was their shocking defeat by Somerset in Taunton last week, which reduced the lead at the top to eight points.
One significant obstacle was that four Surrey players were called up to the England Test and white-ball squads. This was impressive given the level of players coming out of the club, but it also put a strain on their well-stocked squad.
“We utilised 25 players in 15 games for the T20 Blast, and 24 or 25 for the Championship. There are certain counties without a squad that size, according to Batty. It is a testament to each and every one of them to have the players in rotation, the perseverance, the faith, and the skill level necessary to enter the game and continue to play as a fantastic XI. It’s the players, the staff, and the drive.”
September 19, 2024, The Oval, Surrey vs. Durham, County Championship, Rory Burns and Ryan Patel together in celebration
Stewart, 61, joined Surrey for the first time in 1981 and has been a regular fixture ever since. But after serving as director of cricket for 11 years, he revealed at the beginning of the season that he would be leaving the position. He had taken a leave of absence in January 2023 to take care of his wife Lynn, who is receiving cancer treatment.
Batty added, “He is irreplaceable.” “It is insane to believe that one can accomplish what Alec Stewart has done in this situation. Alec is the brains and the heartbeat of this place; everything flows through him.
“You don’t get a hug and a few tears from Stewie very often, but there was a great emotional outpouring when the Lancs players got the last wicket. The club will always be grateful to the legendary English cricketer for his devotion, and it was great to see him receive some recognition for it.”
Stewart, for his part, declared that even after going into retirement, he will still be a familiar face at The Oval.
He told the BBC, “I’ll still be around the place, sat in the stands watching.” “It would be great if I could contribute in any way, even if it’s just quietly, as you are aware of the significance this club holds for my family and me.
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“But the boys are the main focus. I expressed my gratitude to all of them. I’m proud of the fact that three out of three hasn’t occurred since Yorkshire in the 1960s; it doesn’t happen very frequently.”
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