Middlesex Cricket sack former Australian batter Stuart Law as head coach

Former Australian Test cricketer Stuart Law as been axed from his head coach position with one year remaining on his contract.

Cricketer Stuart Law batting. Cricket – Australia vs South Africa one day international match at the Gabba 11 Jan 1998.

Middlesex Cricket has axed former Australian cricketer Stuart Law as head coach with one year remaining on his contract.

Having previously served in coaching roles with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the West Indies, Law joined Middlesex on a four-year contract in January 2019.

But following an underwhelming 2021 season, the club’s cricket committee informed Law he would not return for the fourth and final year of his scheduled tenure.

Catch all the ICC T20 World Cup action live & exclusive to Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today.

Middlesex Cricket confirmed that Alan Coleman would take over the role when players return for pre-season in November.

Despite some promising performances in the Bob Willis Trophy last year, Middlesex finished bottom of their conference in 2021 having lost seven of their 10 matches in the tournament’s first phase. They were consequently placed in the competition’s bottom tier during the second stage.

Their white-ball performances were also dismal, as Middlesex finished second from bottom in the group stage of England’s domestic 50-over and T20 competitions.

Stuart Law previously served as coach of the Brisbane Heat. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Middlesex Cricket chief executive officer Andrew Cornish said in a statement: “We would like to thank Stuart for his efforts across three seasons as Head Coach of Middlesex. His passion and dedication to the role have and never will be questioned.

“It is always sad when committed people leave the Club and things do not work out as all parties would have hoped, and Stuart leaves Middlesex with our thanks and best wishes.

“Our on-field performances have not been up to the standards we require. The review and the outcomes resulting from it have not been taken lightly, and the Cricket Committee will be actively involved in the search for a replacement Head Coach.

“I give my assurance to all members and supporters that we have ambitions to be a Club that is competitive in all competitions, and with the talented young homegrown side that has been developed here at Middlesex, I have no doubts that this can be achieved.”

Law represented Australia in one Test and 54 one-day internationals during his playing career, scoring 27,080 runs in first-class cricket.

The Queenslander is infamous for not boasting a Test average, having scored an unbeaten 54 in his lone Test innings.

Law has also previously served as coach of the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

— with AFP

Originally published as Middlesex Cricket sack former Australian batter Stuart Law as head coach