Surrey release Alex Tudor

Surrey have finally lost patience with Alex Tudor, and despite his 10-year history with the club, have released him with one year left on his contract. Tudor played in only one County Championship game for Surrey this season, as a back problem limited him to 2nd XI and club cricket for Spencer, where he played as a specialist batsman.

"Alex has been struggling with his fitness for a while now," said Paul Sheldon, the club's chief executive, "and unfortunately he has only been able to complete one Championship game this season. Alex has been a wonderful servant to the club over the past ten seasons and we all wish him the very best in the future."

Tudor, now 26, made his England debut against Australia at the age of just 20 in Perth in 1998/99 series where he picked up the wickets of both Waugh twins. But even then, injuries had already started to plague him, and he had to withdraw from the fourth Test of the series with a hip problem.

He retained his place for the first Test of the next home series, against New Zealand at Edgbaston, and although his bowling was not of the standard he'd have liked, it was his contribution with the bat that created headlines. He hit an unbeaten 99 as England beat New Zealand by seven wickets. It was the highest-ever score by an English nightwatchman, and helped win him the Cricket Writers' Club Young Cricketer of the Year award.

"Following a phone call from the chairman of cricket I was told I was being released," said Tudor. "Surrey has been my home for the past ten years and I am sad to be leaving. It has always given me enormous pleasure and pride to be a Surrey player and I have always given 100% both on and off the field for the club.

"I have recently seen a specialist who has diagnosed my injury and we are both confident that I can regain my fitness in the next six months and continue my cricket career in 2005."

His Surrey release may well be a chance for Tudor to make a new start - free from injury, he will be hoping - although with his injury record it must be doubtful whether any club will risk offering him a long-term contract.