KEITH MEDLYCOTT, who has steered Surrey to seven trophies in six years as coach and cricket manager, is leaving the Oval with a year remaining on his contract. His departure follows the resignation of Adam Hollioake, the captain with whom he forged the most successful partnership in county cricket.

Under their leadership, Surrey won three county championships, the Benson and Hedges Cup, the National League first and second divisions and last season’s inaugural Twenty20 Cup, despite the frequent absence of their England players.

“It has been a privilege to have managed the side through a period of unrivalled success,” Medlycott, who took over from Dave Gilbert in 1998, said. “To have been part of this era gives me enormous pleasure and pride.

“I now feel that, following Adam’s decision to stand down as captain, the time is right for me to leave. Adam and I formed a fantastic winning partnership and it’s now time for me to pursue other opportunities and fresh challenges. I believe I have taken Surrey as far as I can and that under a new manager and captain in Jonathan Batty the club can continue to be successful.”

Surrey have already begun the search for his successor, whom they hope to appoint by February. Alan Butcher, father of Mark, the England batsman, and Medlycott’s assistant, will be among the candidates but a spokesman said that the search would not be confined to former Surrey players or English coaches.

Medlycott, a left-arm spinner, played for Surrey for eight years, taking 357 first-class wickets at an average of 32.26. He went on the England tour of the West Indies in 1990 but did not get into the Test side. His career was curtailed when he began to suffer from the “yips” — an affliction peculiar to left-arm spinners which leaves them unable to deliver the ball properly — but went on to become a highly successful coach.

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