By Paul Jones
Matthew Maynard is to step down as Glamorgan coach at the end of the season.
The former England batsman will leave his role after the county’s final Division Two County Championship match against Derbyshire in a fortnight, although he may stay attached in a development role.
His decision comes just a week after chief executive Hugh Morris – a former Glamorgan teamate of Maynard’s – announced he was to end his tenure as chairman, meaning the end of the season will be the end of an era at the county where both men have been leading figures for over 35 years.
🏏Glamorgan coach Matthew Maynard pays tribute to his former team mate Hugh Morris, who steps down at the end of the year after 10 years as Chief Executive at the county@BBCSportWales #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/yflOc6TulM
— Nick Webb (@nickwebb2017) September 5, 2023
Maynard has been head coach since 2019, but since last season has concentrated purely on the four-day game after a decision was taken to split coaching responsibilities between the red and white ball formats.
Last season, the club narrowly missed out on promotion to Division One and were in contention for promotion again this season until this week’s draw with Yorkshire, a match they needed to win.
His decision to go comes with a year left on his current contrct and with Glamorgan currently fifth in the table with one match remaining.
🏏BREAKING: David Harrison to coach Glamorgan in One Day Cup again
White-ball coach Mark Alleyne and Championship head coach Matthew Maynard will both work for Welsh Fire in the 💯
Harrison steered the side to the One Day trophy in 2021 #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/bxypHkWNfV
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 1, 2023
“It’s been five years since I returned to Glamorgan as Head Coach and now just feels like the right time for me to step down.
“I’ve enjoyed working with the players and staff immensely and feel like the culture that has been fostered within the group has the ability to grow into something special.
“There is some talent within the squad and I look forward to watching the players develop in the years to come.
“I still love coaching and have a passion for working with players, and after a bit of time off – and doing my charity walk – I’ll start looking at what fresh challenges are out there for me moving forward.
“Glamorgan will always be my club and I wish everyone involved the very best of luck for the future.”
Labuschagne made a stunning Ashes debut as a concussion substitute for Steve Smith after valuable coaching from Matthew Maynard at Glamorgan.
🗣️ "He was asking about walking down the wicket and I said, ‘Yeah, love it.' All I was doing was reaffirming the game plan he had” pic.twitter.com/SLs1APGhv1
— Times Sport (@TimesSport) May 26, 2023
Director of cricket Mark Wallace said: “There are very few more recognisable and influential figures associated with Glamorgan Cricket than Matthew Maynard and his input as head coach over his two terms in the role has been significant.
“He has a fantastic ability to connect with players and his inspiring leadership both as player and coach has left an indelible mark on the fabric of the club which will be felt for many years to come.
“Personally, and on behalf of everyone involved with the club, I would like to thank Matthew for his unrivalled impact at Glamorgan over the years and wish him the very best for his future endeavours.
“Though Matthew is stepping down as head coach, we are hopeful of retaining his expertise at Glamorgan in some capacity moving forward as we continue to try and develop players in Wales to the best of their abilities.”
CEO Morris added: “Matthew Maynard is one of the most outstanding cricketers Glamorgan County Cricket Club has ever produced. His passion and commitment to the Club on and off the field for nearly 40 years has been second to none.”
“Matt should feel enormously proud of his remarkable achievements and most notably becoming only the third Glamorgan captain behind Wilf Wooller and Tony Lewis to win the County Championship.”
“It was a pleasure to play and work with Matt and, on behalf of the club, I would like to thank him for his exceptional service and wish him well for the future.”
Before coaching, Maynard enjoyed a glittering career with the club scoring over 35,000 runs in 754 first-class appearances across all formats with a club record 69 centuries.
He was involved in four trophy winning sides in the 1990s and early 2000s, and memorably captained the club to the County Championship in 1997. He was capped 18 times by England, with 4 Test and 14 One Day International appearances.
Maynard retired in 2005 to take up an Assistant Coaching role with England and, then between his two spells at Glamorgan, the first as Director of Cricket, coached the Titans in South Africa, St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League and was Director of Cricket at Somerset.