Hollioake to retire, Thorpe signs new contract

It was a day of mixed emotions at The Oval where Surrey announced Adam Hollioake's decision to retire from first-class cricket at the end of the 2004 season, and that Graham Thorpe had signed a new two-year contract with the county.

It had been common knowledge that some of the spark had gone out of the game for Hollioake lately, especially since the death of his brother, Ben, last year. He explained that he wanted to devote more time to other things, particularly charity work for the Ben Hollioake Fund and his own business interests in Perth. "I have had a marvellous 14 years at Surrey," he said, "and in the last seven years as captain, I feel we have achieved many things of which I am immensely proud. I will continue to give everything I can to the club in the next 12 months, and in the years to come."

Under the 32-year-old Hollioake Surrey have enjoyed their most successful period since the halcyon days of the 1950s, winning eight trophies, including three championship titles. In 2003 they completed the one-day double by winning the Twenty20 Cup and National League.

Melbourne-born Hollioake played four Tests and 35 ODIs for England , captaining the one-day side 14 times between 1997 and 1999. He made his Surrey debut in 1993, scoring 123 in the second innings, and was named Surrey Young Player of the Year that season.

Hollioake will remain as captain for the 2004 season, which is also his benefit year.

But the news that Thorpe had agreed new terms with Surrey helped to offset the feeling of disappointment. Coupled with his triumphant return to the England side last month, it brings an end to a troubled period in his career. "I am delighted to have signed a new two-year deal with the county with whom I have grown up with in cricketing terms since I was nine," he said. "I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else or ever playing against Surrey."

Thorpe is Surrey through and through. He was born in Farnham and made his first appearance for the county's youth side in 1978. His first-class debut followed in 1988.