Middlesex captain Handscomb ‘will move club forward’
AUSTRALIA STAR REPLACES THE OUTGOING DAWID MALAN
AUSTRALIA star Peter Handscomb is the new captain of Middlesex.
The 28-year-old Melbourne-born player has agreed a two-year deal to skipper the club in their County Championship and One-Day Cup matches.
Handscomb has made 40 international appearances across all three formats and replaces former skipper Dawid Malan, who has joined Yorkshire.
He previously had stints in England with Gloucestershire in 2015, Yorkshire in 2017 and Durham in 2019.
Handscomb is the current captain of Victoria, who he has led to three domestic cricket titles.
Commenting on the signing, Stuart Law, Middlesex head coach, said: “We are delighted and excited to have an all-round cricketer of Peter’s stature at the club.
“I have known Peter for some time and worked with him at the National Cricket Centre, in Brisbane, seven or eight years ago, so I know what a top bloke he is.
“Peter is a fine player and he will fill a couple of the gaps that have been created.
“He is a successful captain, a fine middle-order player and the sort of character who will help create a strong, positive environment that will keep moving the club forward.
“He has been brought up in a tough environment and his background will help with the continued development of our young cricketers.”
Meanwhile, Middlesex have also announced young all-rounder Luke Hollman has signed a two-year contract with the club.
The 19-year-old, Islington-born, leg-spinning batsman is a product of the Middlesex Academy and has represented Middlesex through the county age group set-up since the age of nine.
Hollman made his second XI debut back in the summer of 2017 and has since made more than 25 appearances for the club in all three formats of the game.
He also has 15 U19 international caps to his name for England, having played for his country in all three international formats, including the U19 World Cup and four U19 Test matches.
Speaking of signing his first professional contract, Hollman said: “I am massively honoured, overwhelmed and hugely privileged to have been given the opportunity to sign this contract with Middlesex – my boyhood club and the club that I’ve been a fan of my whole life.
“I am really looking forward to the next two years ahead under Stuart Law and his coaching staff and am hopeful that I can contribute towards some success on the field and help the club realise its ambition of securing a return to Division One of the County Championship.”
Middlesex Cricket’s managing director of cricket Angus Fraser added: “Luke thoroughly deserves his rookie contract.
“It comes on the back of strong performances for Middlesex’s youth sides, our second XI and for North Middlesex Cricket Club, who he has helped become a major force in the Middlesex Cricket League.
“His potential as an all-rounder excites everyone at Middlesex and we look forward to him developing into a fine cricketer.
“Luke’s potential continues to be recognised by the Young Lions, England’s U19 team, who he is expected to play for in this winter’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.”