The Australian batter had been due to return following a spell with Australia A in Sri Lanka, but he will now head home to Australia instead for family reasons
Peter Handscomb has ended his spell with Middlesex, the county has confirmed.
The Australian, who was due to depart temporarily in any case for the next month after being selected to tour Sri Lanka with Australia A, will not return afterwards, instead heading home for family reasons.
His last match for Middlesex was the County Championship clash with Durham, bringing to an end the first block of red-ball fixtures ahead of the start of the T20 Blast.
Handscomb, who wasn't set to be involved in the Blast in any case, captained Middlesex in red-ball cricket after being signed during Stuart Law's tenure as coach.
"To have started the season in the manner we have is testament to the amount of hard work the playing group and coaches have put in, and I wish Middlesex every success for the remainder of the season and moving forwards," said Handscomb.
"It's been an honour to have been able to call Lord's my home, and my thanks go to everyone at the club for their support in allowing me to head home to spend time with my family after my international commitments with Australia A."
Handscomb struggled for runs while at Middlesex (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
He had first agreed to join Middlesex ahead of the 2020 season, but his two-year deal was deferred when the pandemic struck. After subsequently arriving in 2021, he made 18 appearances across the County Championship and Royal London Cup but struggled for runs.
He returned early to Australia in 2021 to prepare for the Sheffield Shield, with Tim Murtagh taking over as Middlesex's captain in the meantime. That arrangement with Murtagh – the club captain – has been renewed for the remainder of the season, with Middlesex searching for a top-order batter to replace the Australian.
Alan Coleman, Middlesex's head of men's performance cricket, paid tribute to Handscomb: "We would like to thank Pete for all the has contributed to the club throughout his time with us. He is a fabulous bloke to have around the dressing room and has led us with distinction this year on the field.
"He is a natural leader and inspires those around him to perform, and many of the younger players within our squad have learned an enormous amount from him during the time he's been at the club."
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.