Ed Joyce steps down as captain of relegated Sussex

Ed Joyce has stepped down as Sussex captain following their relegation from Division One of the County Championship.

Joyce has led the team since the end of 2012, but has quit his roles in charge of both the four-day and 50-over sides.

The Ireland batsman said: "It has been an honour to captain Sussex for the last three-and-a-half years. I couldn't have asked for a more committed group of players and coaches to work with."

Joyce, who has one year left on his deal at Hove, had enjoyed a successful spell as captain until their relegation this summer. He led the side to two successive third-place finishes in the County Championship, their highest finish since winning the Championship in 2007.

"We've had a very tough year in 2015 but despite this, we've received overwhelming support from the majority of fans and this shows the unity and family feeling that Sussex engenders," said batsman Joyce who will continue to play for the county.

"My increasing commitments with Ireland and the stage in my career that I'm at meant that the job this year became more a burden than a challenge to be relished.

"So the time is definitely right to hand over the reins to a new captain and whoever that is will have my full support."

Looking forward to next season, Joyce is confident his side can push for an immediate return to the top flight of county cricket.

"I'm also very determined to get back to scoring lots of runs and helping us back into the first division of the championship and to performing much better in white-ball cricket," he said.

We have so much talent in the dressing room and so many good people throughout the club I'm certain we'll bounce straight back.

"We have so much talent in the dressing room and so many good people throughout the club that I'm certain we'll bounce straight back from this season."

Sussex's professional cricket manager Mark Robinson said: "I'd like to thank Ed for all the hard work and dedication he has put into the job.

"He has always led the team with great integrity and commitment and I'm sure that the new captain will appreciate having a player of the stature of Ed to be able to lean on for advice and support."

Sussex are yet to announce who will replace Joyce.