Dave Houghton returns to zimbabwe cricket

[zimfan1]

Dave Houghton Bounces Back

FORMER Zimbabwe cricket captain and coach Dave Houghton has agreed to return to the country to work as director of national coaching.

IndependentSport can exclusively reveal that Houghton, one of Zimbabwe’s greatest players of all time, will start his new job in August.

A source close to negotiations said the exact term of his contract is “subject to finalisation, but it’s a done deal and he will start working in August”.

Houghton, 51, will work between August and December each year.

His roles are outlined as technical director to national team coaches (senior national team, Zimbabwe A, Zimbabwe Under 19 and Academy); ensuring that coaching is standardised; ensuring coaches are properly accredited; conducting seminars throughout the provinces involving coaches and players.

Houghton has been based in England for five six years where he went into coaching and commentary. He quit as Derbyshire county director of coaching in 2007.

A classy top-order batsman, Houghton was Zimbabwe’s captain at the attainment of Test status in 1992. He went on to play 22 Tests, averaging 43,05. He has the country’s highest Test score of 266.

He coached the Zimbabwe team after a successful spell in charge of Worcestershire in the UK.

Houghton, who also played hockey for Zimbabwe as goalkeeper, has previously expressed his intention to return to his country of birth.

The news of Houghton’s return comes a week after another former Zimbabwe stalwart Heath Streak told this newspaper of his desire to have a role in Zimbabwe cricket in future.

[maehara]

Now this is a big step in the right direction. Shame it's only part-time...

[Dr_Situ(ZimFanatic)]

Still i perceive it as a giant stride considering Chawagutta's debacles.

[Train Driver]

If this is true, and i hope very much that it is, then it is possibly the best news that Zimbabwean cricket has had in recent years.

If he has a chance to influence the Zimbabwean game then we may well see some of the players who have left recently begin to regain their trust in the national set-up.

Excellent news for ALL players as, hopefully, Houghton will engender trust in players regardless of colour or background.

[bayhaus]

Now that is excellent news man and Any flower must just leave England and come and coach zim no offence Chawas, cos Engladns team is dead 'boring' did you guusy see Gayles massacre of England today...http://content.cricinfo.com/wiveng2009/ ... 52667.html check out the commentary!

[Detective RDS]

This is certainly a great news.Dave Houghton is really a LEGEND and had been a world class player averaging over 43 in the tests.

He can really help the Zimbabwean cricket with his cricket and coaching skills.He is experienced in the prospect of coaching having performing this work in the county cricket in UK.

Also hoping to see some of the former players back by being inspired of him.

Thing are really coming back on track as far as the cricket in Zimbabwe is concerned.

[Detective RDS]

News about the return of Dave Houghton in cricinfo by Steven Price.

Link: http://content.cricinfo.com/zimbabwe/co ... 97416.html

Zimbabwe news

Houghton returns to Zimbabwe in coaching role

Steven Price in Harare

March 30, 2009

Zimbabwe's gradual rehabilitation received another boost with news that former captain and coach Dave Houghton will be returning to work as director of national coaching.

Houghton was one of many who turned his back on the crumbling Zimbabwe cricket scene, but he will resume in August. All that needs to be sorted are contractual details, but a source close to the board said it was in effect a done deal.

His job is not full-time and will take up around five months of the year during which time he will act as technical director to national team and age-group coaches and ensuring there is a uniform approach throughout.

Houghton's presence will give an invaluable experienced edge to the coaching set-up. Aside from his unquestionable pedigree as a player, he has overseen the national side as well as enjoyed spells with Derbyshire and Worcestershire.

He will continue to keep his main home in England and it is not thought likely that he could be tempted into taking on the post of national coach which has been an ongoing worry for the board for some time. The parlous state of the country as a whole, and the cricket structure in particular, has made it almost impossible for the board to hire anyone of any quality.

Steven Price is a freelance journalist based in Harare

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