After four seasons as captain, Borthwick transitions into a player-coach role, remaining a key figure at Durham while mentoring the next generation.
Scott Borthwick, a stalwart of Durham Cricket, has stepped down from his role as captain after four successful years but remains an integral part of the club with a new two-year player-coach contract. The 34-year-old, who has spent much of his career with Durham, will continue to play across all formats while also taking on coaching responsibilities with the academy, pathway teams, and both the men’s and women’s professional squads.
Borthwick, a product of the Durham Academy, first made his mark with the club by playing a key role in their 2013 County Championship title win. After a spell at Surrey in 2016, where he added another Championship title to his name, he returned to Durham in 2021 as captain. Under his leadership, the club achieved promotion back to Division One in 2023, culminating in a Division Two title win that marked a successful return to the upper echelons of county cricket.
During the 2024 season, Borthwick’s form dipped slightly, with an average of 19.77 in the Championship. However, his maiden one-day hundred was a notable highlight. Despite stepping down from the captaincy, he will remain fully involved with Durham, balancing his playing duties with a coaching role.
“I’m delighted to be taking on this new role as player-coach,” Borthwick said. “Durham has been a huge part of my career from when I was 11 years old in the academy, and I can’t think of a better place to begin my coaching journey. I’m looking forward to learning from the talented coaching staff and contributing to the development of both our men’s and women’s teams.”
Marcus North, Durham’s director of cricket, praised Borthwick’s leadership qualities and his continued value to the club. “Scott has been instrumental to Durham Cricket for many years, and his passion for the club remains as strong as ever. We’re excited to see him take this next step in his career, where he will be able to contribute both as a player and a coach to the next generation of cricketers.”
Borthwick’s leadership was pivotal in Durham’s return to Division One, and North expressed gratitude for his contributions as captain. “His return to the club in 2021 was crucial to our promotion. We thank him for his tremendous efforts during his time as captain and look forward to supporting him as he begins this new chapter in his career.”
With Borthwick now embracing a dual role, his wealth of experience and knowledge is set to benefit the club’s broader development, from professional squads to emerging talent. His transition into coaching marks a new phase for a player who has given so much to the club over the years.
