DAWID MALAN STEPS DOWN AS MIDDLESEX CAPTAIN
At Middlesex’s Cricket’s End of Season Member’s Forum this evening, the club’s Chief Executive, Richard Goatley, read out the following statement on behalf of Dawid Malan:
“Middlesex played some fantastic cricket during the 2019 season, reaching the knock-out stages of both white-ball competitions - achievements of which we can be proud. However, our form in the second division of the Championship was inconsistent and it was extremely disappointing to miss out on promotion. I have therefore decided to step down as captain and to allow someone else the opportunity to work with the coaching staff to readjust and hopefully guide the team back towards the top of the first division.
“It has been an honour to captain Middlesex in recent seasons, and I would like to thank everyone associated with the club for their support.”
On Malan’s decision to step down, Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s Managing Director of Cricket, commented:
“Dawid has thrown his heart and soul into the role of club captain for the past two years, and on behalf of Middlesex Cricket, I would like to thank him for that.
“He has also shown great pride and dignity in the way he has handled a difficult season and he leaves the role knowing he has given it all he can.
“As a batsman the captaincy seems to have got the best out of him and he has had an excellent season. He has been our best player in testing batting conditions.
“That things have not worked out as we hoped is disappointing for everyone involved and we must take the responsibility for that.
“Personally, I would like to thank Dawid for his commitment to the role and his desire to take the club forward.
“We must now turn our attention to finding a suitable replacement to take this great club forward.”
MIGUEL CUMMINS SIGNS THREE YEAR CONTRACT WITH MIDDLESEX
Middlesex Cricket also announced to members that Miguel Cummins, the Barbados born pace bowler, has signed a long-term contract with Middlesex until the end of the 2022 season.
Cummins, 29, joined Middlesex for the final three County Championship matches of this season and following this brief spell with the club, in which he picked up 8 first-class wickets, has committed the next three years of his career to the club.
On the signing of Cummins, Fraser commented:
“Stuart Law recommended that we get Miguel over, to have a look at him, on the back of the time he had spent with him whilst coaching the West Indies.
“I had watched Miguel on video, but it is often only when you see someone play live that you get a true reflection of their capabilities. I was immediately impressed by Miguel. He has control, is able to move the ball away from a right-handed batsman and, I believe, the ability to bowl fast, aggressive spells when conditions dictate.
“During the recent spell he spent with Middlesex he fit in really well and will be a popular member of our squad."
NATHAN SOWTER SIGNS CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH MIDDLESEX
Members were also informed that leg-spinner Nathan Sowter has signed a contract extension which will see him remain at Lord’s until at least the end of the 2021 season.
Since making his debut in 2015, English qualified Sowter, has made 80 appearances for the club in all formats and has taken 97 wickets for Middlesex.
On Sowter extending his contract, Angus Fraser commented:
“Witnessing Nathan’s development as a cricketer in the past two or three years has been extremely pleasing to watch. During this period he has established himself as a highly efficient and successful white ball bowler - one of the first names on our team-sheets.
“This season he has had the chance to gain experience in first-class cricket, which is something he will have benefitted from enormously.
“Nathan not only contributes with the ball, he is magnificent in the field and very capable with the bat. He will be an important figure for us over the next few years.”
OLLIE RAYNER AND TOM BARBER PART COMPANY WITH MIDDLESEX
The club also announced that two players will be leaving the club, as off-spinner Ollie Rayner’s and left-arm quick Tom Barber’s contracts will not be renewed.
On Rayner leaving Middlesex, Angus Fraser commented:
“Since joining Middlesex in 2011 Ollie has been one of the most popular players the club has had, both on and off the field, so saying goodbye to him is far from easy. His record shows that he is an extremely capable cricketer, a player that can contribute with ball, bat and in the field.
“I have not seen a better second slip than him and will remember some of the catches he has taken for the rest of my life. Ollie could be a match-winner and he played a vital role with the ball in our 2016 Championship triumph, taking 51 wickets at an average of 23.56. There were many more memorable performances too, including the 15-118 he took v Surrey at The Oval in 2013, the best match figures by a Middlesex bowler since 1955.
“Everybody at Middlesex Cricket thanks Ollie for his contribution to the Club and he will always be welcome at Lord’s.”
Ollie Rayner himself commented:
“I’ve enjoyed a wonderful career at Middlesex and in my first year at the club played a key role in them achieving promotion into the first division. I’ve enjoyed two Lions tours whilst being a Middlesex player and played a pivotal role in the club winning the championship in 2016 – all achievements I am hugely proud of.
"I’ve struggled with a knee injury for the last couple of seasons and have worked tirelessly to regain fitness throughout that period - having done so, it is disappointing that I have been unable to convince the new coaching regime that I have a role to play in the side.
"I would like to thank all at the club and Middlesex’s supporters and members for their support over the years.”
On Barber departing the club, Fraser said:
“Tom Barber has the lot as a fast bowler. He is tall, left-arm, fast and has the ability to swing a cricket ball. Some bowlers possess one or two of these assets, very few three or four.
“Our inability to develop this potential into the finished article, someone who can combine these assets with the ability to consistency hit a challenging length, has been a source of great frustration to everybody.
“Tom is a cracking lad who has worked hard and managed himself extremely well at Middlesex, and we wish him the best of luck in the next stage of his career.”
Barber himself commented:
“I would like to thank the club for the opportunity, the fans and members for their ongoing support and would like to wish Middlesex every success moving forward”.
