Alec Stewart is to step down from his role as Surrey’s director of cricket at the end of the year, bringing to an end a hugely successful 11-year stint.

Stewart has led Surrey to three County Championships, including in back-to-back seasons over the past two years.

The former England wicketkeeper and batsman, who also spent his entire 23-year playing career at The Oval, made the announcement this morning, calling it the “toughest decision of my working career” and explaining he hopes to spend more time with his family.

Stewart’s wife, Lynn, has been fighting cancer for more than a decade and last year he took a brief leave of absence to care for her at the start of a new course of treatment.

“Since 2013, I have given this job my total commitment and it has been an honour and a privilege to be a part of the greatest cricket club in the world,” Stewart said. “However, the job is not one that you can just leave at the ground, as it demands 24-7 attention.

“As people may know, my wife has been battling cancer since 2013 and I want to give her, and my family, more of my time over the coming years than this job allows.”

Under Stewart, Surrey have re-established themselves as the domestic red-ball game’s dominant force. In what will now be his final season in post, they are looking to become the first team to win three successive titles since Yorkshire in the 1960s.

Surrey have also produced a consistent stream of England players over the past decade, with the likes of Ben Foakes, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope and the Curran brothers, Sam and Tom, going on to excel across formats.

“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the last 11 years,” Stewart continued. “I want to thank all the players, coaches and management staff I’ve worked with for their incredible support and hard work.”