Stevie Eskinazi appointed Middlesex red-ball captain for 2020

Australia batsman Peter Handscomb had been due to take the reins upon his arrival as the club’s overseas player for 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic means that he will not be joining the county this year

Stevie Eskinazi will captain Middlesex in this year’s regionalised four-day competition, with Toby Roland-Jones as his second-in-command.

Australia batsman Peter Handscomb had been due to take the reins upon his arrival as the club’s overseas player for 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic means that he will not be joining the county this year.

Eskinazi, who has previous experience of leading Middlesex, will begin his time in charge when his side take on Surrey at the Kia Oval in a two-day pre-season friendly beginning on July 26.

The truncated domestic campaign is belatedly scheduled to get underway on August 1, with counties playing for the Bob Willis Trophy.

Handscomb has deferred his two-year deal to begin next year in light of the impact of Covid-19, with head coach Stuart Law placing his trust in Eskinazi to act as skipper in Handscomb’s absence. Dawid Malan stood down as captain at the end of the 2019 season, shortly before it was announced that he was to join Yorkshire.

Law said: “Steve was the obvious choice for me as the captain of our squad in Pete Handscomb’s absence.

“Last year when Steve stood in for us, the team played really well and with a smile on their face and had immediate success. Good signs for sure and I look forward to working with him again this season.

“Toby is a leader and a much loved and respected member in the dressing room. I look forward to him leading this group in partnership with Steve, and help mould this squad into the team they can be.”

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