Michael Di Venuto in action during his Durham career © PA Photos
Surrey have announced Michael Di Venuto as their new head coach on a three-year deal to replace Graham Ford who has recently returned to work with Sri Lanka.
Di Venuto, who played nine ODIs, is currently Australia’s assistant and batting coach and recently took charge of the team when Darren Lehmann suffered DTV. He will join Surrey in early April ahead of the start of their Championship campaign against Nottinghamshire on April 10.
He has extensive experience of the county game having played for Sussex, Derbyshire and latterly Durham with whom he won back-to-back County Championship titles in 2008 and 2009.
“It has been a huge honour and privilege to have worked with the Australian team but the chance to come to a club of the size and potential of Surrey as head coach was too big an opportunity for me to turn down,” Di Venuto said.
“As someone who has always enjoyed the county game, I have followed Surrey’s progress over the last couple of years and look forward to working with this talented squad of players.”
Alec Stewart, the Surrey director of cricket, said: “Following the departure of Graham Ford it was vitally important that we found another high quality coach with a great work ethic and excellent knowledge of the English county game.
“Michael is a good people person and his twelve years of county experience will be invaluable. He is highly regarded within the Australian setup for his ability to work with and get the best out of players both individually and collectively.
“Being able to appoint a coach from a top quality International team can only serve to benefit the club and I would like to thank Cricket Australia for their professional dealings and understanding in enabling us to make this appointment in time for the start of the new season.
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo