Middlesex Cricket today announced that Stephen Eskinazi will lead the side in the regionalised four-day ‘Bob Willis Trophy’ competition this year, with the twenty-six-year-old being given the opportunity to build on previous captaincy experience he has earned at the club, doing so this time with the support of experienced all-rounder Toby Roland-Jones, who was named today at the club’s vice-captain for the remainder of 2020.
The truncated domestic men’s season is scheduled to get underway on 1st August, however both Eskinazi and Roland-Jones will have the opportunity to develop their leadership partnership ahead of this – initially at the Kia Oval, when Middlesex take on London rivals Surrey in a two-day red-ball pre-season friendly starting on Sunday July 26th.
The club recently confirmed that Australian Peter Handscomb, who was scheduled to join the club in the role of four-day and fifty-over captain for a two-year term in 2020 and 2021, had agreed to defer this contract with the club to 2021 and 2022 in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic, and Head Coach Stuart Law sees Eskinazi as the perfect man to lead his side for the remainder of this term.
Law commented:
“Steve was the obvious choice for me as the captain of our squad in Pete Handscomb’s absence. Last year when Steve stood in for us, the team played really well and with a smile on their face and had immediate success. Good signs for sure and I look forward to working with him again this season.”
Also speaking of the appointment of Roland-Jones as vice-captain, Law added:
“Toby is a leader and a much loved and respected member in the dressing room. I look forward to him leading this group in partnership with Steve, and help mould this squad into the team they can be.”
