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By adding Yorkshire’s Matthew Fisher to their bowling roster, Surrey has strengthened their bench in front of their seamers’ demanding international schedule in 2025.
Fisher, who turns 27 next month, has only participated in one Test match thus far—during England’s Caribbean tour in 2022—for which he was given an ECB pace bowling development contract. In three games last month, he claimed 18 wickets to help Yorkshire win promotion to Division One of the Vitality County Championship, demonstrating his durability.
Fisher’s career first-class wicket total of 144 at 26.58 includes a career-best 5 for 30 against Derbyshire in 2023. Having achieved a career-best score of 88 against Leicestershire, he is also a valuable lower-order hitter.
Conor McKerr just moved to Nottinghamshire, and Surrey has won the County Championship for three years running, despite a number of England call-ups straining their legendary depth of players. This is the reason for his transfer.
Surrey should anticipate losing Gus Atkinson for extended stretches of the 2025 season, and Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, and Reece Topley will probably miss crucial parts of the season while representing England in white-ball cricket.
“I’ve always looked to strengthen our squad straight after we’ve won the Championship,” Alec Stewart, Surrey’s outgoing director of cricket, said. “So bringing in a player of Matt’s ability and experience made perfect sense. With Conor McKerr leaving the club and the expected England call-ups next summer, it’s important we maintain a quality bowling group.
“I actually first met Matt when he was 15, on a visit to his Yorkshire secondary school on behalf of a cricket sponsor and have followed his career from afar ever since. I now look forward to welcoming him to the Kia Oval and watching him perform well for Surrey CCC.”
Fisher added: “I’m both excited and honoured to have signed for Surrey. I’ve watched the recent successes of the squad with huge admiration and I hope to contribute to more success in the coming years.
“I’m also looking forward to working with some of the best players and coaches in the game.”