Michael Carberry’s stand-off with Leicestershire has come to an end by “mutual consent”, with the former England opener set to leave the club for which he hasn’t played since being axed as captain in May.
Carberry, who moved to Grace Road late in the 2017 season, was named as captain last October, but lasted for less than half a season before Paul Nixon, the head coach, replaced him with Paul Horton following an internal review.
Explaining his decision at the time, Nixon said that Carberry’s leadership had been “more reactive than proactive”, and that he would be taking a short break from the game.
“It was a huge decision, the toughest decision of my career,” Nixon said. “Michael is a fantastic man with great integrity and is a massively valued member of this team and we are desperate to get him back. He’s going to have a little break, get his head clear and round it, and maybe it was us asking too much of him in the first place.
“But he’s taken this club forward already with the things he’s done and his attitude and it was a very tough decision to make but we think the right one moving forward.”
Carberry’s career had been at a crossroads when he left Hampshire after undergoing treatment for cancer in 2016. He had reportedly been considering legal action against Leicestershire, but that prospect has now been dropped.
In a brief statement, the club added: “Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Michael Carberry have agreed to part company by mutual agreement.
Leicestershire County Cricket Club would like to wish Michael all the very best for the future. The club will not be making any further comment.”