Mitchell Stokes has dropped an early season bombshell by stepping down as Basingstoke & North Hants captain.
May’s Bounty HQ have accepted his resignation which follows disappointing ‘white ball’ defeats by Bournemouth and South Wilts.
Stokes, 32, who played 14 Twenty20 matches for Hampshire from 2005 to 2006, explained: “I don’t have the same drive and passion for cricket that I once had all those years ago.”
He added: “I no longer feel I can give the club what it needs to move forward, time commitment 100 per cent every week when my mind is not fully there.
“It’s only fair I hand over the reigns to someone that can offer the club more than I can at this present time and they’re able to put their own stamp on the club’s 1st team with 16 games to go in the Premier Division.”
Reflecting on his decision, Stokes continued: “I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to captain the first team at a very young age and then again on my return from a six year absence playing cricket in Staffordshire.
“The club have done their up most to help make my life as easy as possible over the years and I thank them for that and I’ll be forever grateful for the part they played in helping me through my cricketing years.
“Hopefully relinquishing the captaincy will give me more focus and I can start to enjoy the game I once use to love.”
Stokes will continue to play for Basingstoke, who host Burridge at May’s Bounty on Saturday, 12.30.
The club will announce Stokes's successor shortly.
May’s Bounty HQ have accepted his resignation which follows disappointing ‘white ball’ defeats by Bournemouth and South Wilts.
Stokes, 32, who played 14 Twenty20 matches for Hampshire from 2005 to 2006, explained: “I don’t have the same drive and passion for cricket that I once had all those years ago.”
He added: “I no longer feel I can give the club what it needs to move forward, time commitment 100 per cent every week when my mind is not fully there.
“It’s only fair I hand over the reigns to someone that can offer the club more than I can at this present time and they’re able to put their own stamp on the club’s 1st team with 16 games to go in the Premier Division.”
Reflecting on his decision, Stokes continued: “I was very lucky to be given the opportunity to captain the first team at a very young age and then again on my return from a six year absence playing cricket in Staffordshire.
“The club have done their up most to help make my life as easy as possible over the years and I thank them for that and I’ll be forever grateful for the part they played in helping me through my cricketing years.
“Hopefully relinquishing the captaincy will give me more focus and I can start to enjoy the game I once use to love.”
Stokes will continue to play for Basingstoke, who host Burridge at May’s Bounty on Saturday, 12.30.
The club will announce Stokes's successor shortly.
