Dave Houghton quits Derbyshire

Dave Houghton, Derbyshire's director of cricket, is set to quit his post immediately though his contract with the county expires only at the end of 2007. Derbyshire chairman Don Amott said that the parting was amicable.

"I am obviously disappointed to be leaving because I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here but this is the best way forward for both the club and myself," said Houghton. "I hope to find another role in cricket before too long and wish Derbyshire every success for the future."

Simon Katich, the captain, and the remaining coaching staff would take over Houghton's duties for the rest of the season. Derbyshire are currently languishing in the fifth spot of the second division of the County Championship. They have won only two of their nine one-day matches and none of their Twenty20 Cup games. The 2006 season was no better as they finished fifth in the county championship one-day tournament and the Twenty20 Cup and a miserable eighth in the Pro40.

Despite the poor performances, Amott said that Houghton had to be commended for dramatically improving the ability of Derbyshire's playing squad over the past couple of years and attracting players of real quality to the club. "His enormous experience has been of great benefit, particularly to the younger players we have coming through our system," he said.

Houghton, who was Zimbabwe's first Test captain, later coached the Zimbabwe side as well as Worcestershire. He was sounded out by the Bangladesh board this June to be their national coach but at that time Houghton was reluctant to take up the job as he had relocated his family to England from Zimbabwe. But The Daily Telegraph reports that "negotiations between Houghton and Bangladesh are at an advanced stage and that an announcement can be expected within days."