Richard Sykes has resigned as chairman of Middlesex County Cricket Club following a public call for leadership change by several former players. The group, which includes ex-England captain Mike Gatting alongside fellow internationals Mark Ramprakash, John Emburey, and Mike Selvey, issued a letter urging a shift in the county’s management.

Sykes, who had been leading the club through a period marked by significant transitions, stated that he believed the timing was appropriate to step down and allow new leadership to take over. His departure comes after Julie Harrington assumed the role of interim chief executive in June, succeeding Andrew Cornish.

The recent unrest within Middlesex highlights ongoing challenges faced by the club amid its efforts to stabilize operations and improve performance levels. The involvement of prominent former players in publicly questioning the current leadership reflects a demand for change from influential figures within the cricket community.

Details on Sykes’s immediate successor have not been announced, and the club is expected to outline the next steps in its governance structure in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, Harrington continues to manage the executive responsibilities during this interim phase as Middlesex navigates the transition at the board level.