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England Test batter and wicketkeeper Alec Stewart announced his retirement from cricket on this day in 2003.<\/p>\n
The Surrey player brought his career to a close at his home ground, the Oval, as England secured victory in the fifth and final Test against South Africa to draw the series 2-2.<\/p>\n
Stewart made 133 Test appearances for England during his career and, having made his county debut in 1981, finished with figures of 26,165 first-class runs at an average of 40.06 over 447 matches.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying for Surrey throughout my career has been a fantastic privilege,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been lucky enough to play with some great players and particularly to be a part of the huge success the club has achieved over the last eight years.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI look forward to contributing to Surrey\u2019s continued success both on and off the pitch in years to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cSurrey has been my life and will continue to be so. But there are other areas in the sporting environment where I will venture in the very near future.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stewart was appointed Surry\u2019s Director of Cricket in 2014, after having previously held the title of executive director at the Oval since 2011.<\/p>\n
Under his tenure, Surrey have won two LV= Insurance County Championship titles and they are currently top of Division One this season with two matches to go.<\/p>\n