Surrey bid farewell to Amar Virdi as Sophia Dunkley signed to play for women’s team
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Amar Virdi has left Surrey at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
The off-spinner made his debut for the club in 2017 and played 40 first-class games for Surrey, having been part of their ‘talent pathway’ since U12s.
Virdi, who plays his club cricket for Sunbury CC in the Surrey Championship, was part of the England U19 side in 2016 and 2017.
He took 39 wickets in the 2018 season as the club won the County Championship. Virdi played his last first-class fixture for the Three Feathers in 2021. He spent the latter part of the 2024 season on loan at Worcestershire, taking 14 wickets for the Pears.
Alec Stewart, Surrey’s director of cricket, said: “It’s always tough letting a player go from the club and especially when that player has been in our set-up from a young age.
“With the balance of our bowling attack we’ve used in the Championship in recent years which has brought us great success, Virds hasn’t been able to find a way into the starting 11.
“I firmly believe his bowling has a lot to offer another county and hopefully he will find a new home where he can showcase his talents and further his career. I will do everything possible to help him find a good solution.
“In the meantime, on behalf of everyone at Surrey CCC, I would like to thank Virds for the service he has given and we should never forget the impact he had when winning the 2018 County Championship title.”
Virdi said: “Having been a part of the Club since I was 11 years old, I will look back on my time at Surrey with great fondness.
“I have some incredible memories of playing for the club. Winning the 2018 County Championship was a personal highlight and it was incredible to be part of the team that brought success back to the club after many years.
“Having had a tough couple of years at Surrey with selection and pitches, I still believe I have a huge amount to offer the game as shown in my recent loan stint at Worcestershire and I’m looking forward to whatever the next step is in my playing career.”
England batter Sophia Dunkley will represent Surrey in the new, fully professional era of women’s county cricket.
The right-handed batter who also bowls leg spin, was born in Lambeth and has made 96 appearances for England, including five Test matches.
Dunkley wore the Three Feathers of the Surrey Stars in the Kia Super League for four seasons from 2016, with Surrey winning the competition in 2018.
Since 2020, she has also been a part of the South East Stars. Dunkley was in imperious form for the Stars last season, scoring more than 550 runs.
She scored 293 runs in five Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy innings, including 130 against the Northern Diamonds at Beckenham. In the T20 format, Dunkley scored 265 runs in nine matches at an average of 29.44 and strike rate of 123.83.
Dunkley said: “As a Londoner, I am delighted to commit to Surrey’s professional side. The Surrey family has always been a very welcoming environment, and I have wanted to be involved ever since the club was awarded a Tier 1 team.
“I have loved being a part of the South East Stars and am looking forward to the team progressing wearing the Three Feathers.”
Emma Calvert, Surrey’s director of women’s cricket, said: “We’re very happy to see Sophia Dunkley commit to Surrey.
“She is an outstanding cricketer who brings a wealth of experience to the group.
“She contributed both on and off the field last season and we’re looking forward to her doing the same in the Three Feathers.”
PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD AND ALAMY