Houghton returns to Derbyshire

Former Zimbabwe batsman Dave Houghton has returned to Derbyshire as batting coach. Houghton, 54, was the county's director of cricket between 2003 and 2007 and has also held coaching roles with Worcestershire and Zimbabwe.

"David is a premium world-class batting coach," said head coach Karl Krikken. "His knowledge and experience will be of great benefit to all of our batsmen, as it has been to players in the international set-up during periods of coaching with the ECB."

"Clearly David's vast experience and success in the game will be a major asset to the whole club, and in particular our batsmen," added chairman Chris Grant.

Houghton was first offered the role of director of cricket at Derbyshire in 2003, having cemented his reputation as a good leader during a spell as coach with Worcestershire in the mid-1990s. He is also the uncle of Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance, who first arrived in English cricket with Derbyshire when Houghton was in charge.

He quit his post with Derbyshire in July 2007, Don Amott - who was the county's chairman at the time - saying that the parting was amicable.

Houghton played 22 Tests and 63 one-day internationals for his country, was their first Test captain and holds the record for their highest Test score with 266 against Sri Lanka in 1994. He also represented them at hockey, as a goalkeeper.