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Phil Jaques sacked as NSW coach after horror Sheffield Shield start

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·4-min read
Phil Jaques (pictured) during training.
Phil Jaques (pictured) has been axed as the NSW coach after a horror start to the Sheffield Shield season. (Getty Images)

Former Australian opener Phil Jaques has been axed as the NSW coach after the state's worst start to a Sheffield Shield season in 14 years. A review was already planned during the Big Bash League break into the horror beginning to the campaign, but officials expedited proceedings with a crucial meeting early on Tuesday.

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Just after 9am, Jaques had exited the job with veteran coach Greg Shipperd announced as the man to take over on an interim basis for the rest of the season. The move comes after NSW failed to win a game in their first five Shield matches, while they are also last on the one-day ladder with just one win from five games.

Jaques played 11 Tests for Australia and scored 902 runs in his brief international career. He retired from Australian first-class cricket in 2012 to move overseas and take part in the English Championship.

Jaques continued his strong from and scored 792 Championship runs at an average of 44. He retired from County cricket at the age of 35, which saw him join the NSW Blues as assistant coach.

He eventually took over a NSW side that has been heavily impacted by Australian selections and a list of crucial injuries. However, the line-up still boats well-known stars such as Moises Henriques, Sean Abbott and Kurtis Patterson.

Despite a horror start to the season, Jaques took NSW to a Sheffield Shield title in his second season in charge of the Blues in 2019-20, and a one-day title the following year. However, he was off-contract this season and the terrible start all but sealed his fate.

Phil Jaques (pictured) during a Test match.
Phil Jaques (pictured) played 11 Tests for Australia. (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)

NSW part ways with Phil Jaques

In a statement, the NSW Blues praised Jaques' contribution to the state team as both a player and coach.

"On behalf of all at Cricket NSW I'd like to thank Phil for his contribution to cricket in NSW as both a player and coach," head of performance Greg Mail said. "Phil is an immensely passionate NSW person and has given his all in his time as head coach, but we feel that now is the right time to make a change. We wish Phil well in his future endeavours."

The change comes just two days out from NSW's last Shield match before the BBL break, with the Blues set to face Victoria in Melbourne from Thursday. Shipperd does at least bring some continuity, also working with several players as Sydney Sixers BBL coach.

Phil Jaques, pictured here with partner Danielle Small during his time with the Australian Test side.
Phil Jaques with partner Danielle Small during his time with the Australian Test side. Image: Getty

He won five Shield titles during 23 years in charge of Tasmania and Victoria, and boasts one of the most impressive coaching records in Australian domestic cricket.

"Greg Shipperd's cricket acumen and his coaching record is well renowned," Mail said. "And we are very pleased that he has agreed to guide our Blues program while we take the time to understand our next move. He has existing relationships with many of the players and staff and I expect his transition into the group, starting with this week's match against Victoria, will be seamless."

Fans had mixed views on the news on social media.

with AAP

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