CHRIS Boroughs admitted his removal as Herefordshire County Cricket Club’s skipper felt like ‘a kick in the teeth’.
Boroughs had led the county’s side for 11 years until a phonecall earlier this month told him he was being replaced.
“I was rung up and told that I was no longer wanted as captain but they wanted me to remain as a player,” said Boroughs. “But in the light of their decision, I have told the county that I will no longer be available to play for Herefordshire.
“I have given 11 years as captain in some of the most difficult times when we have struggled to get a side together.
“There’s been times when we’ve had a game on a Sunday but, on the Friday, we have still had only eight or nine confirmed players.
“To get a phonecall to say ‘cheerio’ was a shock. It’s been a big kick in the teeth.”
Herefordshire spokesman Peter Sykes last week revealed the change in captaincy was due to the club ‘looking to the future’.
Boroughs’ Brockhampton team-mate David Exall has been installed to lead Herefordshire next season.
“After 11 years of being captain and 14 altogether, the club have not consulted me before making their decision,” said 37-year-old all-rounder Boroughs. “Five or six years ago when we were not competing, it was a difficult time for me.
“We were badly affected by the wet weather this summer but, in 2011, we finished fourth and lost off the last ball in the quarter-finals of the one-day competition.”
Stourbridge-based Boroughs said he had only ever thought of playing Minor Counties cricket for Herefordshire.
He added: “I haven’t looked too far ahead or if I want to play for another county. It’s too early for that.”
However, Boroughs confirmed he would be playing next summer for Brockhampton in the Birmingham and District League Premier Division.
“I will be continuing at Brockhampton and this is a completely separate issue to this,” he said.
“I will be doing my best for Brockhampton next year.”