Thorpe signs new Surrey deal

Thorpe will tour Bangladesh and Sri Lanka this winter with England

Graham Thorpe has signed a new two-year deal that will keep him at Surrey until the end of the 2005 season.

The 34-year-old batsman has only ever played for Surrey and was recalled by England this year after overcoming personal problems.

He said: "I am delighted to have signed a new two-year deal with the county with whom I have grown up with in cricketing terms since I was nine.

"I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else or ever playing against Surrey."

Stewart ends career

The news is a fillip for Surrey, who on the same day were told captain Adam Hollioake is to retire at the end of next season. The club also lost experienced duo Alec Stewart and Ian Ward after the 2003 season.

Director of cricket Keith Medlycott was elated to have secured the ongoing services of arguably the best batsman in England.

Feature: What now for Surrey?

"This is fantastic news," he said.

"Graham is one of the most talented players that Surrey and England have ever produced.

His influence and experience within the dressing room will be increasingly valuable in helping to develop our exciting breed of young players."

Thorpe made his first-class debut in 1988 and was awarded his county cap in 1991.

He averages 42.50 in 78 Tests, and is just 356 short of 20,000 runs in a first-class career that has spanned 303 matches.