Ryan ten Doeschate steps down as Essex captain

After four years at the helm, Ryan ten Doeschate stepped down from the post of captain of County champions Essex. Tom Westley will succeed the 39-year-old ten Doeschate, who will continue with them as a player, having signed a one-year deal with the club last October.

"Now is the right time for someone new to take charge," ten Doeschate said in an open letter to the club that was published on its website on Tuesday (January 21). "I'd like to thank all our Members and supporters in general who have followed the team over the last four years. I hope we've provided much entertainment and that you've shared in our pride of representing the club.

"I would like to pay tribute to an incredible bunch of players who have given everything to the team over the last four years and to whom I will always be indebted for allowing me to live out my cricket dream," an emotional ten Doeschate added. "I can't wait to join the troops, focus on my batting, and to give the new captain all of my support in continuing to try to get the best out of our great club."

Since taking over in 2016, during his four years in charge, ten Doeschate led the club to two Championship titles in the last three seasons. He captained Essex in 58 first-class games, winning 33 and losing just 8 games. Ten Doeschate, who represented the club 477 times across formats, scored 27 hundreds and has returned over 300 wickets, but said, that captaincy was "the biggest privilege".

"It's important to remember that Ryan isn't stepping away from Essex, he's still very much part of this club and I'm sure he will continue to have a positive presence both on and off the field," said Anthony McGrath, Essex's current coach.

Westley takes over as captain after having had joined the club at the age of 13 and after 152 first-class, 80 List A and 74 T20 outings since his debut in 2006. "It's a real honour for me to be named club captain and it's a challenge that I'm really looking forward to," he said. "I can't really put into words how much this means to me. I've spent my whole career with Essex so it's a really proud moment for me and my family.

"Ryan has done an outstanding job and deserves every bit of praise he gets. He's been a fantastic captain, a close friend and an excellent leader who I've learnt a lot from. We've been so successful as a club under his guidance, and my main goal as captain is to continue the great work he's done; to carry on winning games of cricket and ultimately bring more trophies to this great club."