Middlesex part ways with coach Richard Johnson

Middlesex have parted ways with first-team coach Richard Johnson as “results have fallen below expectations”.

The 50-year-old has been at the helm since the start of the 2022 season, having previously worked as assistant coach under Richard Scott and taking over the lead role on an interim basis in 2018.

Johnson guided Middlesex to promotion from Division Two of the County Championship in his first season but they were relegated at the first attempt in 2023, finished third in the second tier last season, and are sixth, five points off the bottom, after three defeats in their opening seven matches.

Middlesex have also lost three of their opening six fixtures in this season’s T20 Blast to lie off the pace in seventh in a tightly fought South Group, and have failed to reach the knockout stage of either white-ball competition since Johnson’s arrival.

Alan Coleman, Middlesex’s director of cricket, told the club website, external: “Jono has put his heart and soul into the role and we thank him for all his hard work.

“Ultimately cricket is a performance business, and we do not feel that the results this season have matched the expectations that we have for the team at our disposal.

“Jono is due a lot of credit for leading the team through the most difficult off-field period that we have had and has embraced the challenge of working within the financial constraints placed upon the club during his time.”

Coleman added: “We do though have high expectations for the playing group that has been assembled, and we do feel that the time is right for a change to try and maximise the talent and performances from our squad.

“Jono is a modern Middlesex cricketing great and has served the club exceptionally well during his time as a player, assistant coach and first-team coach.”