Laurie Evans has signed a one-year deal with Essex for next year's T20 Blast and hopes that a "new challenge" can revitalise his career at the age of 39.
Evans has spent the last seven seasons playing for Surrey but has had a quiet year on the T20 circuit. His top score across 26 innings in the Blast, the Hundred and the European T20 Premier League this summer was 40, and he said the time was right for him to leave The Oval.
"During the summer I came to the realisation that it was the right time for me to move on - both personally and for the club," Evans said. "I felt I needed a new challenge and that the club needed some new energy. I'd like to thank everybody at Surrey for all they have given me in my career, from when I joined the club as a boy to leaving now."
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Essex made it out of the group stage of the Blast for the first time in three seasons this year, though were thrashed by Hampshire in the quarter-finals. They will hope that Evans can cover the likely absence of Jordan Cox next summer, who looks set to be part of England's Test squad for the Ashes which will clash with the Blast.
"We are all delighted to welcome Laurie to the squad, and we hope our supporters are just as excited about his arrival," Chris Silverwood, Essex's director of cricket and head coach, said. "Laurie has been part of successful teams around the world, bringing an exciting, attacking brand of cricket alongside a wealth of experience that will be a real asset to the club.
"As well as adding valuable runs to the side, Laurie's experience and knowledge will be invaluable in supporting the development of our younger players. His ability to help lead both on and off the field will also be a huge benefit to the squad."
Evans has not played a first-class match since 2021 but Essex said that his new white-ball deal "includes an option to play in the County Championship" if required.
Evans came through the Surrey pathway as a young player but made his breakthrough at Warwickshire. He joined Sussex ahead of the 2017 season and briefly threatened to break into England's white-ball set-up - he was named in a 55-man training squad during the Covid pandemic - but never won an international cap.
He returned to Surrey - initially on loan - later that year and became an increasingly prominent feature on the franchise circuit, playing a match-winning hand in the 2021-22 Big Bash final for Perth Scorchers. His career was briefly threatened by a positive test for a banned substance in 2022. He denied any wrongdoing and his provisional suspension was lifted the following year.
Evans is the second new player Essex have confirmed this week, after they announced the permanent signing of wicketkeeper George Bell from Lancashire following his successful loan spell last month.