Surrey release Usman Afzaal

Former England batsman Usman Afzaal has been released by Surrey leaving him searching for a new county.

It is a move that was widely expected after Afzaal, 33, hadn't featured in a first-class game since Surrey's innings defeat to Middlesex at the end of July.

Afzaal, who played for England in three Ashes Tests in 2001, joined Surrey from Northamptonshire at the end of the 2007 season and made 4328 runs in 101 games in all competitions for the county, with a first-class average of 46.44.

This season, however, Surrey have backed the younger players coming through their system as they try to find a route off the lower end of the second division.

Batsmen Arun Harinath (23), Tom Lancefield (19) and most recently Jason Roy (20), have all featured this summer and Surrey may also have Kevin Pietersen on their books after he joined on loan earlier this month.

Surrey's managing director Gus Mackay praised Afzaal for all he's given the club over the last three seasons and wished him luck in finding a new county with which to continue his career: "I would like to thank Usman for his contribution to the club during his time here and wish him all the best for the future."