JERSEY CRICKET announced yesterday the departure of director of cricket, Paul Hutchison. Having led Jersey through two successful seasons since joining in 2024, Hutchison has decided to return to the UK.
Hutchison, 48, is a former left-arm seamer who played for Yorkshire, Sussex, and Middlesex in a ten-year professional career that included 184 first-class wickets across 62 matches.
Following the departure of Neil MacRae in early 2024 as head coach of the Jersey men’s national cricket team, who had led the side through a lengthy spell of storied success on the ICC stage, Jersey Cricket turned to Hutchison to continue the upward momentum.
The Yorkshireman had previous associate nation experience through his work with the Swedish Cricket Federation and took over a Jersey side who were young and in a period of transition, with several young members of the squad still establishing themselves in the side.
Over the past 18 months, “Hutch” has led Jersey through two rounds of the ICC Challenge League A, which they currently top, as well as a strong showing in the latest T20 Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, which saw Jersey land a historic last-ball win over Scotland, just missing out on qualification via net run rate.
Hutchison is a coach who has always valued youth, and in conversation with the JEP, he explained how proud he is of the progress of his young side during his tenure.
He said: “To see the players start to evolve and become independent-thinking cricketers was a particular highlight of my time in the role. Since I took the job, that was always the plan, to help these players improve their autonomy and the way they think about the game.
“Coming from a different type of coach in Macca [MacRae], I always felt a different approach was needed for them to fulfil their potential. They are not fully there yet, as they have an extremely high ceiling and I’ll watch on fondly as they continue to develop.”
Hutchison reflected on his 50-over success, continuing: “In Kenya last year we played good cricket and started to believe in the ability we had in this group. Then at home in Jersey last month we began to smash the same opponents. That was pleasing.
“This group have all the ability to keep rising through the ranks and for them to see themselves that they are improving and they are starting to pull away from these sides was extremely satisfying to see as a coach.”
Undoubtedly, however, Hutchison’s biggest achievement at the helm came earlier this year in the Netherlands, when his 27th T20I ranked side defeated 14th ranked Scotland off the final ball during the T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Hutchison concluded: “The T20 campaign where we came so close to getting on the plane after beating Scotland shows that little Jersey can compete on the world stage. I will always look back at that with great fondness, as well as the friendships I made during the last 18 months.”
Jersey Cricket chairman, John Harris, commented: “On behalf of the board and all at Jersey Cricket, I would like to thank Paul for his contribution to Jersey Cricket over the past 18 months.
“He has brought some new ideas and supported the development of our cricket across our men’s and women’s teams with commendable results and progress.
“We understand and respect the reasons for his departure and wish him well for the future.
“The board will use the upcoming winter break to consider the role and ensure the right structures are in place ahead of the commitments in 2026.”
