County Championship 2022 | Peter Handscomb leaves Middlesex after the Durham clash

Peter Handscomb, 31, leaves Middlesex County Cricket Club after the recent six wickets win over Durham at Lord's and will not return for the rest of the summer as he will be joining up with Australia A for their series against Sri Lanka A before returning home to Australia for family reasons.

The 31-year-old joined Middlesex last year, captaining the side in the County Championship and Royal London One-Day Cup, making 18 appearances for the club, thirteen last year and five this summer. Handscomb-led Middlesex has started the 2022 season brilliantly, with an unbeaten run. They recently defeated Durham by six wickets, taking Middlesex to the top of the Division 2 points table on Sunday (May 22nd). 

Peter Handscomb has had a quiet season with the bat, having scored only one half-century in five appearances. Tim Murtagh would be taking over the club's captaincy in both the four-day and 50-over format following Peter's departure.

Speaking of Peter Handscomb's early departure from his Middlesex stint this summer, Head of Men's Performance Cricket, Alan Coleman, said:

"We would like to thank Pete for all he has contributed to the Club throughout his time with us. He is a fabulous bloke to have around the dressing room and has led us with distinction this year on the field."

"He is a natural leader and inspires those around him to perform, and many of the younger players within our squad have learned an enormous amount from him during the time he's been at the club,"

Peter Handscomb commented on his stint as Middlesex CCC skipper, saying, "It's been an honour to have been able to call Lord's my home."

"I've really enjoyed my time here at Middlesex and it's been a pleasure to have played with such a great bunch of blokes. To have started the season in the manner we have is testament to the amount of hard work the playing group and coaches have put in, and I wish Middlesex every success for the remainder of the season and moving forwards," the Victoria born cricketer said. 

The club recently confirmed the signing of Jason Behrendorff as a replacement for Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi, who left the club to prepare for the West Indies series. Following this news, the club can confirm that they are looking for a possible replacement for the Victorian skipper, Peter Handscomb, at the top of the order for the remaining matches of the summer and are hopeful of making an announcement very soon.