Gareth Batty: Surrey interim head coach given permanent role

Gareth Batty (left) will now work alongside Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart on a permanent basis

Gareth Batty has been named as Surrey's new head coach after leading them to the County Championship title while doing the job on an interim basis.

Batty, 45, was appointed in January when previous head coach Vikram Solanki joined IPL side Gujarat Titans.

Under his stewardship, Surrey won the title this summer by 25 points.

"Gareth did an outstanding job last season, handling all the challenges that were thrown his way," director of cricket Alec Stewart said.

"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," Stewart told the Surrey website.

Assistant coaches Jim Troughton and Azhar Mahmood have had their roles made permanent, having worked under Batty this summer, while former bowler Jade Dernbach has also returned to the club as another assistant coach.

Dernbach, who only retired from playing a year ago, worked as a consultant fast bowling coach with Middlesex last season.

He will primarily look after the second XI as well as offering bowling expertise to the whole squad.

Batty captained Surrey after playing for Yorkshire and Worcestershire and also featured for England in nine Tests and 10 one-day internationals.

He retired from playing at the end of the 2021 season to work as an assistant coach under Solanki.

He then stepped up following Solanki's departure and led Surrey to their 21st County Championship with one match to spare.

"I'm honoured to have been given the opportunity to be head coach at this great club on a permanent basis," he said.

"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."