Alec Stewart to take Surrey leave of absence to care for wife

Chief executive Steve Elworthy is set to fill in for Stewart during his period away from the county

Nick Friend | 05/01/2023 at 15:13

Alec Stewart is stepping back temporarily from his role as Surrey's director of cricket to be with his family while his wife, Lynn, is fighting cancer.

A statement from the county confirmed that Stewart had "decided to temporarily step away from his day-to-day duties" while Lynn, who has been battling the disease since 2013, begins a new course of treatment.

Steve Elworthy, Surrey's chief executive, is set to fill in as director of cricket on an interim basis, working with head coach Gareth Batty, whose interim role was made permanent in November after the Batty-Stewart axis secured Surrey the County Championship title in 2022.

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^{Stewart oversaw Surrey's County Championship title win in 2022 (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)}

"Alec has requested people respect his privacy as he takes a break from cricket," added the statement.

"All of our thoughts are with Alec, Lynn and the family and we wish them the very best," said Elworthy.

"The club will fully support Alec and the family through this leave of absence and ask everyone to please respect his request for privacy."

Earlier this winter, Stewart declined the opportunity to become England's new selector; in 2019, he turned down England's head coach role due to a family health situation.