Surrey stalwart Batty joins Gloucestershire
Surrey stalwart Batty joins Gloucestershire
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Wednesday, 28, Oct 2009 01:03
By Michael Younger.
Surrey stalwart Jonathan Batty has played his last match for the club after he signed a three-year contract to join Gloucestershire today.
Batty, a member of the Surrey 1999 and 2002 Championship winning teams, had agreed terms with Surrey which would have kept him at the Brit Oval until the end of next season. However, the wicketkeeper has reached an agreement with Surrey management to terminate the contract and pursue other opportunities in Bristol.
Following the arrival in August of England back-up wicketkeeper Steve Davies, Batty, 35, is said to have felt that regular first team berths would be limited.
Commenting on his decision to leave Batty said, "Surrey will always be close to my heart and I wish the club all the best in these years of rebuilding however I now have an exciting time coming up at Gloucestershire where I hope I can continue to be successful.
"It's incredibly disappointing to leave the club I have spent so much time at over the years however it's in my best interests to go.
"I'd also like to thank everyone who has helped me in my time here, from my team mates, coaching and office staff and the members who have all been so supportive during my time at the Oval."
Over the course of 13 seasons with Surrey, Batty proved to be one of the best keepers in the County game, taking 541 dismissals (479 catches and 62 stumpings), placing him eighth on Surrey's all time list.
The 35-year-old, also proved useful with the bat, amassing 8,446 runs at an average of 34.05, in 179 first-class matches. His 20 hundreds make him the leading Surrey wicketkeeper batsman of all time by some way, with Alec Stewart in second position with eight hundreds when he kept wicket.
Managing director of Surrey Cricket Gus Mackay added: "It's terribly sad to see Jonathan go as he has been such a fantastic servant for the club both on and off the field for many years.
"Everyone here at the club from the office and playing staff, right through to the members know what a club man he is and we will all be wishing him every success for his time at Gloucester.
"I would also like to personally thank him for his contribution to Surrey cricket over many years of service."
Batty's last game for Surrey saw him fittingly play out a match saving hundred at the Brit Oval against Glamorgan.