After seven seasons as Sussex’s T20 captain, Luke Wright, the highest run-scorer in T20 Blast history, has stepped down. Sussex Sharks T20 skipper Luke Wright steps down after the 2022 season, the English club stated.
Luke addressed the Sharks after seven seasons as captain, seeking to stand aside so that he could focus on his individual performances. “The Club is certainly upset by Luke’s request, but after 104 T20 games in charge, we accept his choice,” Sussex said in a statement.
Wright, who joined Sussex in 2004 and is the highest domestic T20 run-scorer in England, will play for the Sharks again in 2022 and 2023.
“It has been a big honour to captain Sussex, the club I like, but I believe it is the right moment to step down,” Luke Wright said after making the difficult choice. As I have done for so many years, I will continue to give my all to help Sussex.”
“We accept Luke’s choice to stand aside as captain, and we will work with him to move ahead and focus on the future with his replacement at the helm,” stated Rob Andrew, CEO of Rob Andrew.
“Luke has been an outstanding leader, bringing the team to the T20 Blast knockout rounds in five of his seven seasons as captain, including two appearances on finals day in 2018 and 2021. He will be able to pass on his experience and knowledge to his successor, which will be invaluable,” he added.
Luke’s successor will be announced before of the T20 Vitality Blast this season.
Wright has been studying for a Masters of Sport Directorship at Manchester Metropolitan University this winter in preparation for his post-cricket career, but he is under contract with Sussex until the conclusion of the 2023 season.
After spending the initial season of the tournament on the bench, he was released by his Hundred team, Trent Rockets, but is anticipated to be signed in April’s draught.
For this season’s Blast, Sussex have signed a handful of new players, with Rashid Khan expected to be available throughout the group stages and Mohammad Rizwan and Josh Philippe vying for the second overseas berth. At the end of last season, Steven Finn and Fynn Hudson-Prentice were also recruited.