Gareth Batty retires from cricket after 24-year professional career

The 43-year-old will stay at Surrey as an assistant coach alongside Vikram Solanki

Gareth Batty has confirmed his retirement from professional cricket, drawing the curtain on a career lasting 24 years.

The right-arm offspinner played 261 first-class matches, 271 List A games and 194 T20s during spells at Yorkshire, Surrey and Worcestershire, taking 1,092 wickets.

Batty also played nine Tests and 10 one-day internationals for England.

He will remain at Surrey and join head coach Vikram Solanki's backroom team, as announced during last week's end of season awards ceremony.

“It’s been a privilege to have played the professional game for more than 20 years," he said. "I never took a moment of it for granted and I know how fortunate I am to have represented the teams I have.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has been involved in a highly enjoyable career; teammates, coaches, family, friends and fans.

“I’m now excited to start a new career at this great club and looking forward to all the challenges and opportunities that will bring.”

Director of cricket Alec Stewart added: “He will be missed in the dressing room for everything he has given as a captain and player, but I know that loyal and caring nature will now be transferred across into his coaching. 

"As we congratulate him on all he has achieved as a player, we now look forward to him starting out on his coaching career which I have no doubts he will make a great success of. Cricket is in his blood and we’re very fortunate to have him at Surrey helping to develop and improve our players.”