Nosworthy gets Somerset job

Dave Nosworthy, the former Lions coach in South Africa, has been named Somerset's new director of cricket.

Nosworthy, 44, who played 29 first-class games for Border and Northern Transvaal, resigned from his Lions post in June, having previously coached Titans and in New Zealand with Canterbury.

He has also worked with South Africa A and the South Africa Under-19s team. He will replace Brian Rose, who stepped down at the end of the 2012 season when Somerset again failed to win a trophy, finishing second in the Championship and again suffering disappointment on FLt20 Finals Day. Nosworthy is due to take up his position in February

"I am absolutely delighted to be coming to Somerset along with my family," Nosworthy said. "The club has a proud tradition, is currently in great shape, and is clearly an exciting place to be. I personally am really looking forward to the challenges of building on the current strengths of the club, the many proud traditions, and the great work done by the many that have passed before me.

Vic Marks, the chairman of the cricket committee said: "We interviewed candidates from all over the world, those with exceptional playing backgrounds and international coaching experience, but there was no doubt that Dave Nosworthy was the outstanding candidate and the panel were unanimous in their decision.

"The director of cricket's role is a very broad one requiring excellent cricketing knowledge and experience, combined with strong leadership and communication skills - Dave demonstrated all of these during the extensive selection process and he is undoubtedly the right man to take the club forward."

Nosworthy led Canterbury to the State Championship title in 2007-08 and the State Shield and T20 competition in 2005-06. While he failed to win a trophy with Lions, he did oversee their progress to two domestic T20 finals and two Champions League appearances. He has previously been on the short-list for the coaching roles of India and New Zealand.

Nosworthy's appointment follows confirmation of two overseas signings for 2013. Alvrio Petersen will join for the first part of the summer and Abdur Rehman, the Pakistan spinner, will play the latter part of the campaign.