Gilchrist gets captaincy stint off to a flyer

Australian legend Adam Gilchrist will captain Middlesex in their next six matches after Shaun Udal announced his resignation as skipper with immediate effect on Friday.

Gilchrist, captain until batsman Neil Dexter takes permanent control, will lead Middlesex in five domestic Twenty20 matches and a 50-over tour match against Australia at Lord's on June 19.

The wicketkeeper-batsman?s spell in charge couldn?t have got off to a better start as he made a 47-ball century in Friday's game against Kent at Canterbury, having been dismissed for two and nought in his first two innings for the county.

The left-hander?s innings helped Middlesex to their first Twenty20 victory of the season, at the third attempt.

Commenting on Gilchrist's appointment, Middlesex's director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said in a statement on Friday: "It would be foolish for Middlesex not to make use of one of the most experienced and respected cricketers the game has produced whilst he is at the club.

"He captained the Deccan Chargers to success in the 2009 Indian Premier League and led Australia in all forms of the game with distinction on numerous occasions. In his short time in England he has already had an influential role in the T20 cricket we are playing."

Former Middlesex and England pace bowler Fraser added: "Everything about Adam is world class and since his arrival he has had an extremely positive effect on the dressing room.

"Our players love having him around and playing in the same side as Adam shows our young cricketers what is required to be a great player.

"Adam's presence gives Neil a wonderful opportunity to watch and learn from one of the finest and most respected players to play the game."

Former England off-spinner Udal joined Middlesex from Hampshire, where the 41-year-old has spent the bulk of his career, in 2008 and was handed the captaincy in September that year.

But Fraser said the county's "indifferent" cricket - they are second from bottom in the second division of the two-tier first-class County Championship - had worn down Udal, who remains available as a player, and had adversely affected his bowling too.

"Shaun cares passionately about how Middlesex CCC performs and has worked extremely hard to turn the team in to a winning outfit but the indifferent cricket we continue to play has worn him down," Fraser said.

"It has affected his bowling too. Shaun is an intelligent and articulate man and he feels the team needs a change in leadership.

Udal added: "Captaining Middlesex has been a huge honour for me. There can be few better feelings than leading a team out at Lord's.

"Letting go of something like that is extremely difficult but Angus Fraser and I have agreed that this is the best way forward for the club."