Zimbabwean cricketer and current Essex all-rounder Grant Flower is to leave the United Kingdom at the end of the coming domestic season to take up a role as Zimbabwe’s batting coach.
The Harare-born 39-year-old, younger brother of England coach Andy, was offered the job after an interview last week.
Flower told Essex Cricket.org, “At the end of this season it will probably signal the end of my playing career and I do not want to have any regrets. I have had five great years at Essex and I am looking forward to my sixth season and want to give everything that I have.”
He added: “The Essex fans, the club, staff and players have been brilliant and I am very much looking forward to the season ahead.
“I start my new role with Zimbabwe in October and have the main objective of helping them reach Test status once again. At the end of this season I aim to complete my level four coaching course.”
Flower scored 3,457 runs in 67 Tests for Zimbabwe at an average of 29.54.
He retired from international cricket in 2004 having fallen out of favour following a dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.
Zimbabwe have not played a Test match since voluntarily surrendering Test status in January 2006.
The appointment comes two days after it was announced former Surrey chief Alan Butcher was to become the team’s head coach. PA
