A winless start to Northamptonshire’s County Championship season has seen long-standing captain Alex Wakely announce he will resign with immediate effect.
Wakely vowed he had ‘not taken the decision lightly’, having
led Northants across all three formats in 198 matches, but that the time had
come for fresh impetus to be pumped into a team who also lost six of their
eight One-Day Cup matches.
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to captain Northamptonshire over the past few years but now I feel it’s time for someone new to have that honour,” said Wakely, who will be succeeded by Adam Rossington for the remainder of the County Championship and with Josh Cobb taking charge for the T20 Blast.
“It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly. I’ve deliberated long and hard with family and friends for several weeks. When I first walked through the Wantage Road gates as a 12-year-old I never imagined I would one day have the opportunity to captain the side, let alone bring two trophies to the club.
“I want to thank everyone who made that dream possible.
“There have been plenty of highs and lows as captain but I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved. I have always given it 100 per cent and I just hope I’ve helped a few people along the way,” he added.
“As a captain you’re only as good as the people around you and I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible players, coaches and support staff. Without them, those trophies would not have been possible.
“I would like to wish my successors the best of luck in the future and I hope they enjoy the challenge as much as I have.
Wakely has been a Northants player since the age of 12. Now 30, the T20 Blast-winning skipper of 2015 would still play a senior role within the home dressing room at The County Ground according to head coach David Ripley.
“Wakers is one of the best blokes in cricket, nobody has a bad word to say about him, it’s been an absolute pleasure to work alongside him for the last six years as captain and coach, and an even bigger pleasure to see him rise through the academy to become a top first-class player,” said head coach David Ripley.
“His captaincy record is there for all to see, trophies in the bag. I look forward to seeing him go on for many years as a player where he still has loads to offer.”
