Michael Di Venuto leaves role as Surrey head coach

Title-winning coach Michael Di Venuto will not return to Surrey, the club have confirmed.
Di Venuto’s contract expires in March 2021 but he will not return from his family home in Tasmania even if the delayed season gets under way later this summer.
The decision was announced after the start of the domestic season was put back another month until August 1 at the earliest.
A statement continued: “With the potential of a vastly shortened English season and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on English cricket, the decision has been taken at this early stage to give Di Venuto as much time as possible to pursue other coaching roles.”
Thank you @MjDiVa5 for everything you have done for me since my return to @surreycricket I wish you all the best in your next chapter. Hopefully see you again in the future bud.
— Rikki Clarke (@RikkiClarke81) May 28, 2020
The 46-year-old former Australia international arrived at Surrey in 2016 and two years later led them to their first County Championship title in 16 years, as well as taking them to two Lord’s finals in the one-day game and seeing eight players make their England debuts.
Di Venuto said: “I have loved my time as head coach of Surrey County Cricket Club. Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic I haven’t had the opportunity to finish the job that I started.
“I take with me some wonderful memories and friendships of my time at The Kia Oval.
“With the help of the best director of cricket in the land, Alec Stewart, we put together an outstanding management team to give the players everything that they needed to help them become the best players they can be.
Thank you @MjDiVa5 for all your support!! Been an absolute pleasure and some lifelong memories made 🙌🏽 all the best for the future Coach 👏🏼 https://t.co/fPWkGSJ4EM
— Amar Virdi (@AmarSinghVirdi) May 28, 2020
“There were plenty of ups and downs along the way but to see so many of our players develop into England cricketers and the team win the County Championship in 2018 are the obvious highlights during my time.
“The squad is in a fantastic place right now, I wish the players, management and my successor all the best this season and in the years to come.”
Chairman Richard Thompson said: “We owe Diva a debt of gratitude for the huge impact he has made in the four years he has been our coach.
“Winning the County Championship for the first time in 16 years and helping develop more England cricketers for a generation is quite a legacy. This was clearly a very difficult decision, taken during quite exceptional times.”
Latest
-
News
Joe Root develops a golden arm to fire England back into third Test contention
Captain takes five Indian wickets in dramatic fashion.
-
News
Mohammad Hafeez bats away PCB contract offer
Mohammad Hafeez has shunned a Category C contract from the Pakistan Cricket Board.
-
News
India v England, day one: Zak Crawley the only bright light for poor England
India held the upper hand in the pivotal third Test in Ahmedabad after bowling the tourists out for 112 and reaching the close on 99 for three.
-
News
England frustrated with umpires after India dominate day one of third Test
England skipper Joe Root was heard telling umpires ‘all we want is consistency’.
-
News
England slump to 112 all out as India take control of third Test
Zak Crawley’s half-century was England’s only innings of note.
-
News
Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin have England in a spin in third Test
Patel claimed six for 38 to put India in complete control.
-
News
Zak Crawley leads England resistance but India dominate first session
The host’s spinners enjoyed more helpful conditions.
-
News
England make four changes and opt to bat first in day-night Test against India
Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence made way for Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow.
-
News
On This Day in 2010: Sachin Tendulkar at the double with new ODI milestone
Then aged 36, he hit 25 fours and three sixes off 147 balls as India thrashed South Africa.
-
News
Joe Root relishes bowling selection dilemma ahead of day-night Test with India
The England captain has to decide which of his seamers will make the cut in Ahmedabad.