Vikram Solanki took over as captain at New Road for the 2005 season

Worcestershire captain Vikram Solanki has announced that he is to resign the position with immediate effect.

Solanki, 34, told BBC Hereford & Worcester that he has been considering his position for some time.

"It has been a real honour and a privilege to captain this club but it just seems the time is right," he said.

"Results haven't gone as well as we would all have liked and it is perhaps time for somebody else to be at the helm," he added.

Wolverhampton-born Solanki took on the role at the end of the 2004 season following Steve Rhodes' short tenure in the wake of Ben Smith's abrupt departure midway through a county Championship game.

But, after almost six full seasons in charge, during which time he has become the longest-serving captain in English county cricket, Solanki refused to blame his own disappointing season with the bat on the added pressure of captaining a youthful side.

Worcestershire opener Daryl Mitchell, who was Solanki's vice-captain, will take over from him.

He is expected to lead the side against Pakistan in a two-day game starting at New Road on Friday, 13 August.

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