Adams relishing fresh challenge

Former Sussex captain Chris Adams is relishing the challenge of overseeing a revival in Surrey’s fortunes, after becoming professional cricket manager at the Brit Oval.

Adams, who led Sussex for 11 years before stepping down at the end of last season, has been released from the final year of his playing contract at Hove.

After agreeing terms with his new employers, he will take responsibility for all aspects of professional cricket for Surrey - who have revamped their management structure following this year’s county championship relegation.

Chris Adams hopes to bring silverware to Surrey but said he cannot promise a quick-fix

Adams, 38, told Sky Sports News: “I am delighted to take this challenge. I have been looking for this kind of role for a while.

“It brings 21 years as a player to an end, which is sad, but this is too big a challenge to turn down. I am very excited about it.

“I had 11 fantastic years at Sussex. Sussex is in my blood - it always will be - but everything has to come to an end.

“I’m incredibly privileged to have walked off the field into such a high-profile job.”

Adams’ new posting follows the appointment earlier this year of former Sussex chief executive Gus Mackay as managing director at Surrey.

Adams initially applied, unsuccessfully, for Mackay’s old post at Hove and was also linked with jobs at Hampshire and Lancashire as he looked to move into management.

In 2006 he accepted the position of director of cricket at Yorkshire only to have a late change of heart and stay on as captain at Sussex.

Adams will work alongside new Surrey batting coach Graham Thorpe next season

He will be remembered at Sussex as the most successful captain in their history. After beginning his playing career at Derbyshire, he moved to the south coast in 1998 and led Sussex to three county championships in five seasons between 2003 and 2007. He bowed out this year by winning the NatWest Pro40 Division One title.

Adams, whose arrival fills the void left by the departure of coach Alan Butcher, will be joined at the Brit Oval by former Surrey and England batsman Graham Thorpe - as a specialist batting coach.

Their immediate task will be to revive the fortunes of the county following relegation, but Adams insists he is very much focused on the long-term future.

He added: “I am not promising a quick fix. What I am offering is long-term stability and putting in place a culture change, not only on the field but off it as well.

“It is not about getting promotion next year and having a couple of years of success – this is about a 10-year programme, at least, to bring back stability, long-term development and a stream of players through the academy system to represent Surrey and, I hope, England.

“It is to put together a plan and put a plan in process that will bring success back to this very respected and traditionally huge club; to set up an environment, a culture, that will outlast my time here.

“I am very proud of what I achieved at Sussex and I leave them in a very good and healthy position, and that’s what I want to bring here to Surrey.”