Middlesex appoint Burton in transition coach role

MIDDLESEX County Cricket Club has announced that former player David Burton has been appointed to the role of transition coach.

The newly created role, the first of its kind in professional domestic cricket in England, aims to provide invaluable support, guidance, mentorship, and advice to young players moving through Middlesex’s Elite pathway and transitioning into the professional playing ranks.

With more than 70% of Middlesex’s current first team squad comprising players who have come through the club’s County Age Group and Academy system, harnessing and evolving that production line of talent is a key strategic priority for the club. The appointment of Burton is seen as an important and significant move in ensuring this pipeline of young local talent continues to flow.

Another key focus of Burton’s appointment is on increasing the representation of players from minority ethnic backgrounds in Middlesex’s XI.

With more than 60% of the club’s Academy system containing young Black or British born Asian cricketers, Burton will work closely with these players to support them in their progression through the Academy and into the professional ranks.

Burton has experienced first-hand the challenges that present themselves to young cricketers making that transition, having trodden the same pathway himself, and his knowledge and experiences from a professional playing career, when he was in and out of the professional game between 2006 and 2012, firstly at Gloucestershire, then at Middlesex and finally at Northants, will prove invaluable.

Burton’s appointment comes off the back of work the club has undertaken in recent months to address the issues of minority ethnic representation at the top level, having held numerous focus groups with players of minority ethnic backgrounds who have been through and now left the Middlesex system, having previously represented the club at either first XI, second XI or Academy level.

Alan Coleman, head of men’s performance cricket, said: “David stood out as the obvious candidate for this role, and we are hugely excited to have him on board. Maintaining the level of talent coming through from our Academy is a key priority for us and I am confident, with David supporting all our young cricketers throughout the process of becoming professional cricketers, that this critically important area will be positively impacted upon.”