Clayson quits as Bedfordshire skipper

This follows another disappointing season in which Beds finished one from the bottom of the Minor Counties Championship table.

Clayson took over from Jonathan Walford three years ago but, after a promising first season, the county have not won a Championship game since.

Their record in the one-day competition has also been poor while Clayson has struggled with the bat.

Chairman Ian Smith said: “Ollie feels it is time for a change. The fact that Bedfordshire did well in his first year was almost entirely due to his own performances as he hit three centuries that season.

“Unfortunately he hasn’t been able to buy a run for the last two years and the pressure of captaincy may well have been the cause.

“Hopefully without that responsibility next season he will be back among the runs.”