Mitchell relieved of WCCC captaincy - The Worcester Observer

Mitchell relieved of WCCC captaincy

Worcester Editorial 28th Sep, 2016 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

PEARS opener Daryl Mitchell’s six season spell as skipper has come to an end making way for all-rounder Joe Leach to take over the reigns.

The 32-year-old, who replaced Vikram Solanki towards the end of the 2010 campaign, has been relieved of his duties by Director of Cricket Steve Rhodes following the ‘inconsistent’ end to the County’s 2016 campaign.

Badsey-born Mitchell led Worcestershire to County Championship Division One promotion in 2010 and repeated the feat in 2014, in addition to reaching the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast on three occasions.

Leach has been Pears’ vice-captain for the past year and finished the season as the leading wicket-taker in Division Two of the Specsavers County Championship with 65 and scored almost 600 runs.




The 25-year-old also finished fourth in the Professional Cricketers’ Association Most Valuable Player rankings for the 2016 campaign.

Rhodes said: “I have enjoyed working with Mitch for six years in the captain-coach relationship.


“We have gone through lots of ups and downs but I felt the team going forward needed a fresh start and input from a different source regarding the captaincy.

“I hope Daryl can continue to play a key role as one of our most accomplished and experienced batsmen.

“I’m now looking forward to enjoying a good working relationship with Leach. He has had an exceptional season and has key attributes which will help with captaining the side.”

Mitchell, a lifelong Worcestershire supporter, passed 10,000 career first class runs at an average of nearly 40 during the penultimate home game of the 2016 campaign against Northamptonshire.

He is currently in his benefit year with the County.

“Although I disagree with Bumpy’s decision, I do fully respect it and know it has been made with the very best intentions for Worcestershire moving forward,” said Mitchell.

“I would like to thank Bumpy for giving me the opportunity to fulfil a childhood dream of becoming captain of our great club.

“I would also like to thank all the players for the efforts they’ve put in and the support they’ve given me during my tenure as captain. It has been an honour to lead each and every one of them.”

Leach said: “It’s a great honour to be made captain and a great opportunity to take on a young improving squad. Hopefully we will go from strength to strength as a team over the next few years.

“I would like to pay tribute to Daryl who has done a fantastic job in getting us two promotions and to three quarter-finals and I look forward to working with him as a senior player.”

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