Middlesex have turned to former South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Dane Vilas to steer their men’s first team for the remainder of the 2025 season. The 40-year-old, who finished his first-class playing career with Lancashire in 2023, replaces Richard Johnson following the coach’s departure earlier this week.
The decision gives Vilas his first senior coaching post and comes with the club languishing near the foot of Division Two of the County Championship. Two wins from seven red-ball matches, plus a solitary success in the opening stretch of the Vitality Blast, underline the size of the task.
Director of cricket Alan Coleman explained why the club moved quickly. “I am delighted to welcome Dane to the club as our Interim first-team coach,” Middlesex’s director of cricket, Alan Coleman, said. “He has a wealth of experience to offer our squad, and I believe that we will all benefit from his presence and leadership across the rest of this season.”
Coleman added: “Though Dane is still early in his coaching career, having only finished playing for Lancashire in 2023, I am confident that his leadership presence, competitive edge and experience of all formats, including franchise cricket, will have a huge impact on our squad.”
Those qualities were most obvious during seven seasons at Old Trafford, where Vilas captained Lancashire to three Finals Day appearances and consecutive runners-up finishes in the Championship. His stint in Manchester followed six Tests and a T20I for South Africa, initially on a Kolpak deal that later switched to overseas status.
“It is the leadership qualities that were evident when he captained Lancashire that drew me towards Dane. The teams that he has led played hard, committed, never-say-die cricket and I believe that is a style that will resonate well with our players, staff group and members.”
“Dane will be supported by what I believe is an exceptional coaching team of Rory Coutts, Tim Murtagh and Ian Salisbury, who all bring variety and wide-ranging knowledge to our team.”
“I am sure you will all joining me in welcoming Dane over the coming weeks as we look forward to the rest of our season. There is still a lot to play for and I am excited to see where our talented playing group can take us.”
For Vilas, the immediate appeal is obvious. “It’s an absolute honour to be here. Lord’s is such a special place and I’m looking forward to getting started with the squad. The potential is endless for the group and I’ll be keen to harness that and help grow their careers.”
“I’ve got good relationships with Rory Coutts, Tim Murtagh and Ian Salisbury, so to have the four of us together is fantastic and I’m really looking forward to it.”
His first assignment will be a Championship fixture at Lord’s next week, before attention swings back to the Blast – a format he knows as well as anyone in the dressing-room. The goals, for now, are modest: tighten up performances, climb the table, and see where a fresh voice might take a squad still searching for momentum.
