Surrey head coach Michael Di Venuto set to leave club even if county season begins

Surrey have effectively parted ways with head coach Michael Di Venuto after announcing that the Australian will not return to the club.

Di Venuto’s contract does not expire until March 2021, but with the ECB having extended domestic cricket’s suspension until at least August, Surrey say they have given the 46-year-old ‘as much time as possible to pursue other coaching roles’.

He is currently at home in Tasmania with his family and will not return to Surrey even if the county season does eventually get underway later this summer.

The former Australia batsman arrived at The Oval in 2016 and led Surrey to the County Championship title two years later.

Surrey players have also played a key role in England’s international success in recent years, with Jason Roy, Liam Plunkett and Tom Curran all part of last summer’s World Cup-winning squad, while Sam Curran, Rory Burns, Ben Foakes and Ollie Pope have all become part of the Test set-up.

“I have loved my time as Head Coach of Surrey County Cricket Club,” Di Venuto said. “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.

“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.”

Surrey Director of Cricket, Alec Stewart, added: “I would like to thank Diva for everything he gave to the role as Head Coach, his excellent work, the impact he had on the Club and the relationship we have enjoyed as Head Coach and Director of Cricket.

“Diva should feel very proud of the progress achieved since he arrived at The Kia Oval – a County Championship Trophy, the number of players that have developed and earned England selection and he leaves the dressing room in a stronger position than when he arrived.”