Ryan ten Doeschate has been promoted to the Essex club captaincy with Ravi Bopara taking over as limited-overs skipper.
Essex have undergone a host of changes this winter, most significantly Chris Silverwood taking over as coach, and he has moved to confirm a new leadership group in his first season in charge.
Ten Doeschate has spent the past two seasons as Essex’s limited-overs skipper and steps into the role vacated by James Foster in December.
Bopara gets his chance to lead the limited-overs teams with 158 international short-format matches to his name with England.
“Both Ryan and Ravi have proven themselves fantastically committed to the cause here at Essex over a number of years,” Silverwood said.
“They command instant respect in the dressing room, and have proven how much they care about the club.”
Ten Doeschate and Bopara both signed new deals to remain at the club last season, while Foster has also agreed a new deal since losing the captaincy.
Silverwood has targeted promotion at the first time of asking and believes Ten Doeschate, who will not compete in the Indian Premier League this year, has shown he has the credentials to lead that charge.
“Ryan will bring many things to the role; he is always a calm head on the field, and has shown over the past two years as limited-overs captain how capable he is,” Silverwood added.
“He is a hugely experienced and professional individual. We are aiming not just for promotion, but to be competitive in Division One, and Ryan is the man to lead us there.”
Tendo has a formidable record in First Class cricket for Essex… https://t.co/2AonjXGMdY #MeetYourCaptains pic.twitter.com/ryGm7SOP2j
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) January 29, 2016
Silverwood said the time was right in Bopara’s career for him to take on a lead role as the Eagles seek a limited-overs trophy after a series of near misses.
“Ravi is at the stage of his career where he is looking to take on more responsibility, and this is the perfect opportunity to give him that.
“He has played a lot of cricket around the world and will bring that experience into his new role.
“We have realistic aims to win a limited-overs competition this year, and Ravi is excited about the challenge.”
Bopara has nominated for this year’s IPL auction and could miss Essex’s opening NatWest T20 Blast match should he be picked up a side that progresses to the latter stages of the tournament.
Source: ECB