London, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : Josh Blake has confirmed that he will leave Surrey County Cricket Club after the 2026 season. The announcement came on Thursday, revealing that he has signed a multi-year contract with another county team.
Blake, who joined Surrey on his first professional contract at the age of 23 in 2022, has played 45 matches for the club, known as the “Three Feathers.” The wicketkeeper has been a crucial part of the One Day Cup team, amassing over a thousand runs in the competition.
His journey to professional cricket has been unique and inspiring. Blake was released from Surrey’s development program at the Under-15 level but refused to give up on his dream of succeeding in cricket. He continued to play for Sutton Cricket Club in the Surrey Championship.
To enhance his skills, Blake traveled to Australia during the winters of 2017 and 2018, where he worked and played for the Sydney Shires team. His dedication paid off, leading him to become a professional cricketer. While playing for Sutton, he also served as a community coach for the Surrey Cricket Foundation for four years. In 2021, he earned a spot on Surrey’s Second XI and subsequently secured a contract to join the First XI squad.
Reflecting on his time at Surrey, Blake expressed gratitude, stating, “It has been an honor to represent my childhood club for the past four years. I am thankful to everyone at Surrey for giving me the opportunity to play professional cricket and prove myself in county cricket. I never lost sight of my dream to make a career in this sport and have created some incredible memories that will stay with me for a long time.”
He acknowledged the difficulty of leaving the club he first represented at the age of nine but believes this move is the best opportunity for his career growth and development as a cricketer. “I am fully committed to Surrey until the end of the season, but I am excited about my future in the game.”
Aleck Stewart, Director of Men’s Cricket, praised Blake as a role model for aspiring cricketers, noting that his hard work and commitment earned him his place at Surrey. “Now, it is the right time for him to choose opportunities that will allow him to play regular first-team cricket in all formats. I thank Josh for his time at the club and wish him the best in his new county.”
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