David Houghton to join Middlesex as batting coach

Houghton has previously been head coach at Worcestershire and director of cricket at Derbyshire

David Houghton has agreed a deal to become Middlesex's new batting coach, replacing Mark Ramprakash, who has joined England's coaching staff.

Houghton will join Middlesex on a two-year deal on 1 January, when his current commitments with Somerset end.

"David has a wealth of knowledge that we can tap in to," Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said.

"David is a real cricket man. His coaching time will be split over the whole club."

Houghton played 22 Test matches for Zimbabwe during a 20-year playing career and averaged 43.05.

Since retiring, the 57-year-old has coached the Zimbabwe national side, been head coach at Worcestershire and director of cricket at Derbyshire.

He recently spent two years as batting coach at Derbyshire before joining Somerset last year as assistant and batting coach.

Ramprakash had been Middlesex batting coach since the start of the 2013 season, having retired following a 25-year playing career.

"Everyone at Middlesex would also like to congratulate Mark on his new appointment with England," Fraser added. "He has performed some excellent work with our batsmen.

"We could see early on that he would quickly develop into a high-quality coach and the club is proud to have provided England with another member of its staff."