Steel began his career with Middlesex and moved to Durham before joining Surrey, where he made 74 appearances, including 25 first-class matches.
After injuring his ankle in 2024, Steel underwent surgery in February 2025 and returned to action that summer, making six appearances in the County Championship.
However, complications from the injury limited his availability and he underwent a second operation in September that year and has not played since.
Steel retires with 117 wickets and 3,564 runs from 132 career appearances across red and white-ball cricket.
“Cricket had become something I was watching, rather than doing, with too much time in the Oval’s windowless gym and not enough time out in the middle,” Steel said.
“I’ve always prided myself on working hard and doing everything I can to improve, and I gave my all to get back on the park. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”
