Dawid Malan resigns as Middlesex captain
West Indies pace bowler Miguel Cummins signs contract until 2022; Off-spinner Ollie Rayner and left-arm quick Tom Barber's contracts are not been renewed
Tuesday 1 October 2019 00:47, UK
Dawid Malan has resigned as Middlesex captain after two seasons in the role across all formats of the game.
Middlesex finished eighth in Division Two under Malan's leadership, winning three games all season, but reached the knockout stages of both the One-Day Cup and T20 Blast.
Malan, who has played 15 Tests, one ODI and five T20 internationals for England, was appointed in February 2018 following the 2016 County Championship champions' relegation from Division One a year later.
The 32-year-old has amassed 11,229 runs first-class runs for Middlesex since his debut in 2006 and it is unknown whether he will remain at the county next season.
"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," said Malan in a statement.
"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."
Malan signed a new contract keeping him at the Lord's club until the end of the 2021 season in January.
Angus Fraser, Middlesex's managing director of cricket, said: "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."
Meanwhile, West Indies pace bowler Miguel Cummins has signed a contract to remain at Lord's until the end of the 2022 season after he picked up eight first-class wickets during a brief spell at the end of the 2019 campaign.
Leg-spinner Nathan Sowter, who has made 80 appearances and taken 97 wickets since his debut in 2015, has signed a contract extension to remain at the club until at least the end of the 2021 season.
But, experienced off-spinner Ollie Rayner and left-arm quick Tom Barber's contracts have not been renewed.
