Surrey will go into next season with a new head coach after Gareth Batty’s departure.

The 49-year-old has moved to Indian Premier League (IPL) side Chennai Super Kings, where he will be assistant coach.

Batty took over as head coach just before the 2022 season and – working under director of cricket Alec Stewart and in tandem with skipper Rory Burns – oversaw their hat-trick of County Championship titles over the next three seasons.

They almost made it four in a row last year, just missing out to Nottinghamshire, but this year slipped to seventh in Division One.

It ends Batty’s 21-year association with Surrey, two spells as a player – 1998 to 2001 and 2010 to 2021, the latter including three years as captain – bringing more than 350 appearances and in excess of 500 wickets. Before retirement he was already involved in the coaching set-up, going full-time in 2022 and succeeding Vikram Solanki as head coach. The off-spinner played nine Tests for England.

“Thank you hardly seems enough for all that Surrey has meant to me,” said Batty.

“It has been a privilege to serve this great club, to share in its success and challenges.

“The new journey is a very exciting one for my family and I with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, and I’m looking forward to getting going.”

Stewart added: “It is difficult to put into words just how much Gareth Batty has given to Surrey County Cricket Club, both as a player and as head coach.

“I have known and worked with Gareth for many years, and throughout that time he has shown an outstanding commitment to this club. As a player and then as captain he has always put the team first and played a significant role in helping to move the club forward.

“He has a passion and knowledge for the game as well as a determination to get the very best out of himself and those around him.

“While we are sorry to see him go, I understand that this opportunity was too good for him to pass up on and will enable him to spend more time with his family outside of the IPL season.”

By Richard Spiller