Photo Credit: Zimbabwe Cricket
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) is delighted to announce the appointment of cricket legend Dave Houghton as the organisation’s Coaching Manager.
Among his responsibilities in the newly created role, the 64-year-old will oversee 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 will also take charge as head coach at first-class provincial side Mountaineers for the 2021/22 domestic season.
Before rejoining ZC now, he was the head of cricket at Derbyshire County Cricket Club in England from October 2018.
Zimbabwe’s first Test captain, Houghton is one of the best batsmen to emerge from this country.
He announced his arrival on the big stage with 121 in Zimbabwe’s inaugural Test, against India in Harare in 1992/93.
Houghton went on to hit 266 – Zimbabwe’s highest Test score to date – against Sri Lanka in Bulawayo in 1994/95.
His most memorable one-day international innings was against New Zealand at the 1987 World Cup, when he scored 142 runs off 137 deliveries with 13 fours and six sixes.
Having taken charge of Zimbabwe as a player-coach, since ending his playing career Houghton has gone on to become a successful coach and commentator.
He counts Tuskers and Southern Rocks at local level as well as Radlett Cricket Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club in England among the sides he has coached, while he was also the batting coach at Somerset County Cricket Club and Middlesex County Cricket Club.
Houghton played an instrumental role in the establishment of the CFX Cricket Academy after he raised the initial capital for the project with a 22-day sponsored walk from Bulawayo to Harare in 1999.
Speaking after his latest appointment was confirmed, ZC Managing Director Givemore Makoni said: “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.
“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.”
