Jaques leaves Yorkshire for coaching role

The county career of Phil Jaques, the former Australia batsman, appears to have come to an end after Yorkshire decided to not renew his contract.

Jaques's deal at Headingley expired at the end of the season, following Yorkshire's draw at The Oval, and he will now take up a coaching role back in Australia with club side Sutherland in Sydney. But he may return to play for Yorkshire for part of a season should an opportunity arise.

Jaques, 34, had eight fruitful seasons in county cricket for Northamptonshire, Worcestershire and in two stints at Yorkshire, for whom he was most productive with over 4,000 first-class runs at 51.12.

His father was a Yorkshireman and Jaques embraced the family connection, scoring over 1,000 runs for the White Rose in 2004 and 2005. He returned to Headingley in 2012 playing as a British passport holder and made 792 runs at 44.00 to help Yorkshire win Division Two of the County Championship and scored 770 runs at 36.66 this season as they finished runners up in Division One.

At the time, his decision to play for Yorkshire with a British passport was a big commitment, changing his status to overseas in Australia. But the tweak made to the eligibility of domestic players by Cricket Australia, the "Robson rule", means Jaques could now return to Australia as a home-qualified player.

"He's been a great asset to the club during the two spells that he had with us," Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said. "He's been invaluable not only on the field but off it as well with our younger players; that was one of the reasons we brought him back to help with our young batsmen in particular.

"Phil talked about batting and passed on his experience, and the lads picked up bits here and there from him. He talked to us about what he saw technically and whether things needed to change, and I think he fed off us as well with regards to his future career."

Jaques will maintain a link with Yorkshire, with second XI batsman Jack Leaning joining up with Jaques' club side in Sydney in November. Leaning made his first-class debut this summer and played four matches in the Yorkshire Bank 40.

"Phil's been instrumental in getting that sorted," Moxon added. "It's nice to have that connection in Sydney for our young players to get some experience playing over there. I don't think Phil's completely given up on the thought of playing, but he doesn't want to come back to England for a full season. If he does come back it would be for part of a season. Obviously that depends if an opportunity ever arises.

"He's looking to get more into coaching himself. He started last winter back in Australia doing his club side and in the Big Bash. That was a great challenge and experience for him. He learnt a bit from us and he gave our young batsmen some help as well. His nickname is The Pro - and he is. He's the ultimate professional."