NSW split with coach over poor Shield run

The NSW Blues have parted ways with head coach Trent Johnston after three years in charge during which first-class results have declined.

Johnston joined the NSW set-up following his retirement from playing with Ireland, where he was captain, after former coach Trevor Bayliss took the England head coach role.

The Blues finished third in the Sheffield Shield during his first summer in charge, slipped to fourth the following summer and narrowly avoided the wooden spoon in the season just completed, despite having won their first three games with the nation's Test stars in the side.

The side then failed to win any of their final seven matches of the 2017-18 JLT Sheffield Shield, and the former powerhouse of Australian cricket has just one first-class title in the past decade.

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Andrew Jones confirmed the underperformance in Shield results had led to the split.

"Trent has worked diligently with the team over the past three years and has two state one-day competition titles to his credit," Jones said.

"Unfortunately the results collectively and individually in the Sheffield Shield have been below expectations."

Johnston thanked the NSW players for their support over the past three years.

"It's been a great experience to work with the playing group and I wish them all the best in the future," Johnston said in a statement issued by Cricket NSW.

"I'd also like to thank the coaching and support staff for their support throughout the last three years.

"To everyone at Cricket NSW thank you, especially the board and chief executive Andrew Jones for the opportunity to coach NSW. I wish Cricket NSW every success."

NSW Cricket Performance Manager David Moore added in a statement: "As a former Blues player Trent understands the high expectations on all players and staff in NSW cricket."