Gareth Batty lands Surrey CCC head coach gig on permanent basis

Gareth Batty has been confirmed as the permanent head coach of Surrey County Cricket Club’s men’s team.

Batty was in interim charge when he led the team to the 2022 County Championship title – securing the trophy with a 10-wicket win at The Kia Oval over Yorkshire in September.

Surrey won the title by 25 points, with impressive victories over Hampshire, Northants and Somerset at The Kia Oval as well as a thrilling final over win away at Scarborough against Yorkshire.

Batty has been doing the job on an interim basis after Vikram Solanki left the club in January 2022 to join IPL franchise the Gujarat Titans. The former Surrey captain retired from playing at the end of the 2021 season and joined the staff under Solanki as an assistant coach. After being appointed as interim head coach, Batty was joined by assistant coaches Jim Troughton and Azhar Mahmood, who also joined on an interim basis.

Batty’s side were excellent in the group stages of the Vitality Blast but were defeated in a tight contest by Yorkshire at the quarter final stage. A youthful team in the Royal London Cup put in some spirited performances with victories over Somerset and Durham as well as a thrilling tie against Warwickshire.

Batty said “I’m honoured to have been given the opportunity to be head coach at this great club on a permanent basis. This year has been an incredible season and a steep learning curve for me as a coach but I have absolutely loved every second of it.

“The hard work put in by the coaching staff and the players was crucial in the success this year and we’re looking to get straight back to it as pre-season begins. There’s a huge amount of potential in this group of players and I’m excited to get going again with our eyes firmly set on more success in 2023.”

Alec Stewart, director of cricket at Surrey, said “After a full and proper process, Gareth was the outstanding candidate for the role of head coach of Surrey’s men’s side and has fully earned his opportunity. Alongside our backroom team, Gareth did an outstanding job last season, handling all the challenges that were thrown his way.

“Batts is one of the most hard-working and forward thinking people in the game and his deep knowledge, commitment and dedication to the job that he brings every single day is a massive positive. His enthusiasm and his passion is infectious and this has been very well received by the group.”