Stewart, 60, has overseen one of the most profitable durations in Surrey’s historical past, together with back-to-back County Championships in 2022 and 2023, and an extra title in 2018, having been a stalwart of the membership since signing his first skilled contract in 1981.
Nonetheless, he took a brief go away of absence in January final 12 months to assist look after his spouse Lynn, who has been present process most cancers remedy, and now he has determined the time is correct for flip his full consideration to his household, and for the membership to discover a everlasting substitute.
As well as to his achievements with Surrey, Stewart performed a then-record 133 Exams for England between 1990 and 2003, and is known to have turned down the likelihood to grow to be England’s head coach in 2019, as effectively as their new selector in 2022.
“No doubt, this has been the hardest determination of my working profession, however after cautious consideration I will probably be stepping down from my function as Director of Cricket at the end of this calendar 12 months,” Stewart stated. “The primary cause for informing the membership at this cut-off date is to give them sufficient discover to discover a appropriate substitute.
“Since November 2013, I’ve given this job my whole dedication and it has been an honour and a privilege to be an element of the best cricket membership in the world. Nonetheless, the job just isn’t one that you could simply go away at the floor, as it calls for 24/7 consideration. As folks might know, my spouse has been battling most cancers since 2013 and I need to give her, and my household, extra of my time over the coming years than this job permits.”
Stewart’s departure was introduced to the gamers and employees on Thursday, and the seek for a successor guarantees to be an exhaustive one, given Surrey’s standing inside the English sport. Amongst the membership’s goals this 12 months are the strengthening of its ties with Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, and the development of the girls’s aspect of the sport, together with with the potential improvement of a brand new stadium.
A trademark of Stewart’s tenure has been Surrey’s sturdy dressing-room tradition, together with the improvement of younger expertise on the county pathway, 9 of whom have gone on to play for England, together with Ollie Pope, Sam Curran and Will Jacks.
The pursuit of a hat-trick of County Championship titles is Surrey’s major goal for 2024 nevertheless, and Stewart – who himself received three Championships and three limited-overs trophies in his personal taking part in profession with the membership – stated that his focus wouldn’t waver regardless of his impending departure.
“I’m extremely proud of what has been achieved over the final 11 years, profitable trophies as effectively as persevering with to produce our personal gamers by the Expertise Pathway and offering gamers for England,” he stated. “Supporting younger expertise to grow to be top-quality gamers is one of the most rewarding and pleasant components of the job.
“I need to thank all the gamers, coaches and cricket administration employees I’ve labored with for his or her unimaginable help and onerous work. I might additionally like to thank everybody who has performed their half in taking the membership ahead each on and off the area.
“I’ll all the time be obtainable to help the membership in any manner that I can and would additionally think about different alternatives in and round the sport that work for me and the household.
“From now till my final working day, I assure that my dedication to the job and to the membership won’t diminish one bit and I’m absolutely focussed on serving to the squad to obtain extra success.”
Oli Slipper, Surrey’s chair, added: “Alec has been an impressive chief over the final 11 years. He took over with the crew in a troublesome place and has constructed a membership in his personal picture that’s hard-working, devoted and humble. The values and the philosophy that he has created are the basis of the success that the crew has seen.
“While he’s stepping down from his function at the membership, we don’t need to lose his data of the sport and I’ve little question that his successor will all the time have a useful voice to name upon if wanted. I need to want Alec the highest for the future and likewise place on file my thanks for what he has finished for the membership.”
Steve Elworthy, Surrey’s CEO, stated “Alec has been one of the best servants this membership has ever seen and leaves a unprecedented legacy. Alec’s professionalism, work ethic and dedication to the membership has pushed success in his taking part in days and much more so as Director of Cricket. The membership is the place it’s in the present day as a result of of his ardour and his dedication.
“I absolutely respect and perceive the determination that Alec has made and want him and his household the highest for the future. We can not overstate his influence at Surrey and on behalf of the employees, the gamers and the Membership I would love to thank Alec for his service.”
