Jon Lewis departs Durham

Durham Head Coach Jon Lewis has left the County Championship Division Two side following a review of cricket operations, the club has confirmed.

The 48-year-old departs the club 22 years after joining from home-county Essex in 1997. Lewis originally joined Durham as a player and was appointed as captain in 2000, going on to feature in almost 150 first-class matches before retiring in 2006.

Lewis’ seamless transition into coaching occurred upon retirement and the batsman played a key role in the development of a number of youth players including Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Mark Stoneman and Keaton Jennings – all of whom have gone on to represent England – during his time as second XI coach.

Lewis was appointed as first team coach during the 2013 season and guided the County to their third Championship title. Lewis added the Royal London One Day Cup to his collection a year later and led the Durham Jets to their first T20 Blast Final at Edgbaston in 2016.

However, Lewis has been battling a losing fight in recent years with financial constraints impacting his side’s performances.

Durham were relegated to Division Two at no fault of Lewis due to the county’s financial problems. A wage cap severely hit the county and they have struggled to recover ever since.

On four occasions this season Durham were bowled out for less than 100 in the County Championship, including 61 and 66 in a depressing afternoon at Leicester. Durham also suffered three innings defeats and three losses inside two days but ongoing financial problems will limit the county from turning their issues around.