Andre Nel leaves Essex after three seasons as assistant coach

Andre Nel has parted ways with Essex after three seasons as the club's assistant head coach and bowling coach.

Nel, 44, arrived at Chelmsford in March 2019, having previously worked with Easterns, the South African National Cricket Academy and Phantoms.

In his first season with the club, Essex won both the County Championship and Vitality Blast double, then backed up that achievement in 2020 with victory in the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy, beating Somerset in the final at Lord's after the season had been rearranged due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Essex missed out on a chance to defend their titles in 2021, when they failed to qualify for Division One of the Championship's three-tier conference system, but they still picked up the Division Two title instead, beating Northants inside two days in their final match of the summer.

I've absolutely loved my three years back at Chelmsford and I'm grateful for the support myself and the team have received during this time," Nel said.

"I'm leaving with some fantastic memories that will stay with me forever. The success we experienced in 2019 will always be special to me, whilst I'm also really proud of our accomplishments with the Bob Willis Trophy and Division Two title in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

"I'd like to thank the club for the opportunity to come back, the other coaches and players for their relentless hard work and the members and fans for their unrivalled loyal support."

Essex Head Coach, Anthony McGrath, added: "Andre has been a great asset to the club over the last three years and has helped us achieve some great things.

"His knowledge and skillset have been extremely beneficial to our bowlers, whilst I have no doubt he will go on to experience more success as a coach elsewhere.

"He will be missed but his departure allows the club and me to re-examine our coaching structure and move forward with a strong appointment for next season."