Alec Stewart’s wife Lynn passes away after long battle with cancer

Lynn Stewart, wife of former England and Surrey captain Alec Stewart, has passed away following a courageous 12-year battle with breast cancer. On Monday, during the final day of Surrey’s Division One County Championship match against Hampshire, flags were flown at half-mast above the Micky Stewart Members Pavilion at the Kia Oval as a mark of respect. Surrey players also wore black armbands in her memory.

Micky Stewart, Alec’s father, represented Surrey from 1954 and 1972, while Alec followed in his footsteps, playing for the club between 1981 and 2003. The Stewart family holds a significant place in the club’s history. In 2013, Alec returned to Surrey as Director of Cricket, but stepped down from the role last year to care for his wife.

“I want to give her, and my family, more of my time over the coming years than this job allows,” Alec said at that time.

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Surrey clinched the 2024 County Championship, securing their third consecutive title in Alec Stewart’s final full season. It marked the fourth championship win under his tenure before the 62-year old transitioned to a part-time role as High-Performance Cricket Advisor.

“The sincere condolences of everyone at Surrey County Cricket Club are with Alec and the whole Stewart family. Our very best wishes are with the family and we will continue to offer any support to them that we are able to. In the meantime, we ask that people respect their privacy at this difficult time,” said the club chair, Ollie Slipper in a statement.

The wicketkeeper-batter featured in 133 International Test matches, averaging 39.54, and also represented the national side in 170 One-Day Internationals. In first-class cricket, he amassed 26,165 runs across 447 matches at an impressive average of 40.06.