Laurie Evans has agreed a new white-ball only contract with Surrey County Cricket Club.
Evans, who returned to his boyhood club in 2020, was previously on an all-format contract. He played 12 Vitality Blast matches and two LV= Insurance County Championship fixtures for Surrey in 2021.
However, the 34-year-old and Director of Cricket Alec Stewart have mutually agreed that Evans will now only be available for selection for Surrey in white-ball formats.
He has also extended his deal, previously due to end later this year, and will remain at The Kia Oval until at least the end of the 2023 season with an option for a further year.
Evans was a key player in Surrey’s run to the Vitality Blast final in 2020 and has since won the Big Bash League with Perth Scorchers. He has also played in the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League, Bangladesh Premier League, Lanka Premier League, The Hundred and the Abu Dhabi T10 League during his career.
On his decision, Evans said: “I have made the decision to focus the remainder of my career on white-ball cricket for a number of reasons. Firstly, I still have a burning ambition to play at international level. The chances of me doing this in Test cricket are gone but I still believe that I could do a job for England in white-ball cricket and by focusing my efforts purely on this, I can best develop my skills further.
“Secondly, I believe this is the best way for me to manage myself physically over the coming years. I am loving my time at the Kia Oval and also the experiences I am getting from playing in franchise competitions around the world.
“Finally, I believe this is the best decision for Surrey County Cricket Club as it allows younger players to gain experience in red-ball cricket with me stepping aside fully. I would like to thank the Club for their continued understanding and support.”
Director of Cricket Alec Stewart said: “This is not a choice I would advise any younger player to make while there is still plenty of time for them to achieve so much in the game. However, at this stage of Laurie’s career and after discussing it at length with him, I fully understand and respect the decision he has made. I look forward to seeing him perform in white-ball cricket for Surrey over the coming seasons.”
