London, June 20 (H.S.): The county cricket club Middlesex has appointed former South African wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Vilas as the interim first team coach until the end of the current season. This decision was made two days after Richard Johnson stepped down from his position, having served in the coaching role for over three years. The 40-year-old Vilas had retired from first-class cricket at the end of the 2023 season. He played for Lancashire for seven years and also captained the team there. However, he continued to play in the franchise league SA 20. He is now settled in London and will take over the responsibilities at Middlesex with immediate effect. Middlesex’s current position has not been satisfactory.
The team is positioned lower than third place in Division Two of the County Championship and has managed only two wins in its first seven matches. The situation is similar in the T20 Blast, where the team recently won only its second match on Thursday, shortly after Vilas’s appointment was announced.
Middlesex’s cricket director Alan Coleman said, I am extremely excited to welcome Dan to the club. He brings a wealth of experience that will be invaluable to our players. He recently bid farewell to the game, but his leadership skills during his captaincy of Lancashire impressed me. His passion, competitiveness, and experience across all formats will be crucial for us. He further added, Dan will be supported in the coaching team by Rory Coutts, Tim Murtagh, and Ian Salisbury. I am confident that this team will play a key role in enhancing the players’ performance. Dan Vilas, who has played 6 Tests and 1 T20 international for South Africa, said of his appointment, It is a great honor for me. Being part of a historic ground like Lord’s is a special experience. I am eager to work with the team. There is a lot of talent in this group, and I want to make the most of it. He continued, I have good relationships with Rory Coutts, Tim Murtagh, and Ian Salisbury, and we will all work together to take the team to new heights.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
