He was 30 before he played in a first-class match, and usually Surridge was only selected for the first team if other players were injured or on Test duty.

In his five years as captain, only in 1953 did Surrey win less than half their matches; in 1955, the county won 23 out of 28 games, losing the other five and going through the whole season without a single draw.

In retirement after 1956, he served Surrey CCC on various committees as well as expanding his bat-making business, and was visiting the Surridge factory when he collapsed and died, aged 74.

The business expanded, making a host of equipment including the Rapid Driver cricket bat that had a reinforced toe (patent no.

[3][4] In 1923 the company received a patent for their design in reinforcing tennis rackets to stop strings fraying,[5] and produced a variety of equipment for sports, including hockey.

[11] During the 1970s Surridge entered the big hitter cricket bat market with its Jumbo, which was used by Viv Richards and Clive Rice.

[12][13][14] In 1979, Surridge manufactured the official ball of the English Football League, along with Mitre, with their version being called the UFO and was recognisable by its red stripe.

[15] In the 1980s, John Surridge, Stuart's nephew and Percy's son designed the Turbo cricket bat.