Middlesex get Houghton as Ramprakash replacement

Middlesex have appointed Dave Houghton, the former Zimbabwe international, as their new batting coach in a swift replacement of Mark Ramprakash, who has taken up the same post with England.

Houghton has signed a two-year deal and will arrive at Middlesex in the new year having served just one season as assistant and batting coach at Somerset, who appointed Matthew Maynard their new director of cricket in September.

He will be tasked with reviving Middlesex's batsman who have struggled in the past two seasons, relying heavily on the runs of Chris Rogers who has now left the club. Middlesex only survived in Division One of the County Championship on the final day of last season.

Houghton is one of the best batsman Zimbabwe have produced. He scored four centuries during his 22 Tests. He went on to coach Zimbabwe before becoming head coach at Worcestershire in the mid-1990s and the equivalent role at Derbyshire from 2003 to 2007.

"As well as being an excellent batting coach David has a wealth of knowledge that we can tap in to," managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said. "David is a real cricket man. He loves being around and talking about the game and having spent time coaching at Radlett he knows the area and what Middlesex is about.

"His coaching time will be split over the whole club. David will spend time working with players from the 1st XI, 2nd XI, Academy and youth sides."

Houghton added: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining the coaching team at Middlesex. I am joining an already impressive and well-established coaching unit and look forward to working closely with both Richard Scott and Richard Johnson to contribute to the club's desire to secure silverware in the near future.

"We have a fantastic group of talented and gifted cricketers here at Middlesex and I can't wait to begin working with them all."