Walter Stuart Surridge, also known as Stuart Surridge, was a legendary cricket player from England who made a significant impact on the sport during the 1950s. Born on an unspecified date, Surridge sadly passed away on April 13, 1992, while visiting his company’s factory at Glossop. He was 74 years old at the time.
Surridge will always be remembered as the most successful captain in the history of the County Championship. In 1952, he took over the leadership of the Surrey cricket team, which was brimming with talent but needed a strong hand to guide them towards their true potential. Surridge had immense confidence in his team’s abilities and famously wrote in his diary, “Surrey will win the Championship for the next five years.” As it turned out, Surridge’s prediction was an understatement because Surrey ended up winning the Championship for seven consecutive years, thanks to his exceptional leadership.
The statistics from Surridge’s tenure as captain are simply astonishing. Between 1952 and 1956, Surrey won an impressive 86 out of 140 games and lost only 20. Every year except 1953, they won more than half of their Championship fixtures. Surridge’s tactics were often described as aggressive and attacking, bordering on recklessness. He believed in the principle that bowlers and catches win matches, and he instilled a high standard of catching in his team.
One of Surridge’s most notable achievements was Surrey’s ten-wicket victory over Ian Johnson’s Australian team at The Oval in May 1956. This win marked the first time a county defeated the Australians in 44 years. Surridge’s captaincy was instrumental in the triumph, with Jim Laker taking ten wickets in the first innings, hinting at his later remarkable feat at Old Trafford.
Surridge was known for his inspiration and the energy he brought to the game. He demanded excellence from his players, especially in the fielding department, setting a fine example himself in dangerous positions near the bat. His attack consisted of formidable bowlers such as Alec Bedser, Jim Laker, and Tony Lock, who dominated their opponents on the helpful wickets at The Oval.
Off the field, Surridge was respected and revered by his players. He had a close relationship with the younger professionals, often carpooling with them in his father’s Buick for club and ground matches. Surridge was known for his inclusive leadership style, always seeking input from his team members and sharing his ideas with them.
Surridge came from a lineage deeply entrenched in the cricketing world. His grandfather was a batmaker who supplied bats to renowned players like Herbert Sutcliffe and Duleepsinhji. Following in his family’s footsteps, Surridge began his cricketing journey at Emanuel School in 1935. He played regularly for the Surrey Amateurs and made his debut for the county Second XI in 1937. Surridge was a talented medium-fast bowler with a bustling style, honing his skills under the guidance of Alf Gover. He was also a hard-hitting tail-end batsman.
In his first-class career, Surridge took 506 wickets at an average of 28.89 in 267 matches. His batting yielded 3,882 runs, averaging 12.94, and he held an impressive 375 catches, many of which were spectacular. The cricketing world recognized Surridge’s contributions, and he was named one of the Five Cricketers of the Year in the esteemed 1953 Wisden.
After retiring from playing, Surridge remained actively involved in cricket. He served for many years on Surrey’s cricket committee and became the President of Surrey Cricket Club in 1982. His remarkable presence around The Oval and his family’s batmaking business will forever be missed.
Walter Stuart Surridge’s legacy as a captain, player, and cricket enthusiast will always be remembered. His drive for excellence, bold tactics, and unwavering belief in his team led Surrey to unprecedented success during the 1950s, cementing his status as one of England’s most influential cricket figures.
