Surrey County Cricket Club has announced the signing of ace West Indies all-rounder Sunil Narine for the entirety of the Vitality Blast.
Narine will join up with the Club following the completion of his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and will then be available for the rest of the competition. The Trinidadian will take up the first of two overseas slots in Surrey’s Vitality Blast squad.
A white-ball mystery spinner with a series of variations and capable of batting anywhere in the order, Narine has forged a reputation as a highly-skilled performer through an international and franchise career that has spanned more than a decade.
The 33-year-old has played 51 T20Is for West Indies, taking 52 wickets, and has 429 wickets in 391 T20 matches in total across his career. He was a key player in the 2012 T20 World Cup as West Indies lifted the trophy in Sri Lanka, taking nine wickets for his country. He also played in the 2014 T20 World Cup and 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.
In domestic leagues, Narine has won the Indian Premier League twice with Kolkata Knight Riders; receiving the Player of the Tournament accolade in 2012. He has also lifted the Caribbean Premier League three times and the Bangladesh Premier League twice.
His career has also taken him to the Big Bash League, Pakistan Super League and Abu Dhabi T10 League. Narine will also have very recent memories of The Kia Oval, having played for Oval Invincibles in last year’s inaugural edition of The Hundred.
Vommenting on his signing for the Club, Narine said: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play for Surrey in the Vitality Blast this year; one of the few competitions around the world I’ve not experienced in my career.”
“The stint I enjoyed with Oval Invincibles in 2021 gave me a taste of how unique playing in front of a packed Kia Oval crowd really is. My aim is to entertain as much as possible this year and hopefully ensure the Club challenges for the trophy,” he added.
On the other hand, Surrey’s Director of Cricket Alec Stewart said: “We’re very pleased Sunil will be joining us for this year’s Vitality Blast. His unique skills as a bowler and ability to bat anywhere in the order make him a very exciting proposition in any T20 side.”
“As a proven winner in this format, his experience in internationals and leagues around the world will be an invaluable asset. I look forward to seeing him perform in a Surrey shirt this summer,” he added.