Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. By Sports Reporter – ZIMBABWE cricket team legend Dave Houghton has been appointed coaching manager of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) as the cricket body seeks to tap into his vast experience in the game both at home and abroad.
The 61-year-old Bulawayo-born revered coach will be responsible for “the development and implementation of coaching programmes across all formats and levels as well as design and run special cricket camps, with the ultimate aim being to help coaches to get the best out of players.”
Houghton, who recently returned to the country after a three-year spell at English County side Derbyshire will also be the head coach of the provincial side Mountaineers for the 2021-22 season.
“We can count ourselves fortunate to have a legend of the game such as Dave joining us in a capacity that will add greater value to our coaching set-up and the game itself,” ZC managing director Givemore Makoni said. “He has a wealth of knowledge and skill in both coaching and administration and his passion, determination and hard work ethic will massively boost our efforts as we aim to continue improving and gaining success on the field of play.”
Houghton, who was Zimbabwe’s first Test captain in 1992 previously held the similar role of the coaching manager at ZC in 2009.
Most recently, Houghton served as Head of cricket at Derbyshire, having rejoined the county side in 2018. He also served as a batting coach at the club between 2011 and 2013 and as the director of cricket between 2004 and 2007 and served similar roles in Somerset and Middlesex.
The highlight of his international coaching career came at the 1999 World Cup in England, when he led Zimbabwe to a memorable run to the Super Six stage following high profile group-stage wins over India and South Africa.
As a player, Houghton is recognised as one of the best batsmen to emerge from this country. He captained Zimbabwe in their inaugural Test against India in 1992, and scored a century on debut.
