Glamorgan have concluded their search for a new head coach with the appointment of former England spinner Robert Croft.
Croft, who spent 28 years with the county, has signed a rolling contract at the SSE SWALEC after emerging as the preferred candidate following a recruitment process led by chief executive Hugh Morris.
The 45-year-old, who is currently with the England team in South Africa in his capacity as a consultant spin bowling coach having spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach, will return to Cardiff next week to oversee pre-season preparations.
“Robert was the outstanding candidate in the recruitment process and his record of achievement as a Glamorgan player and an international cricketer further enhanced the impression that he made when he laid out his coaching vision,” Morris said.
“His long association with the club, his knowledge of the squad and his vision for the future were the most significant elements of his interview and we are very pleased that he has accepted this opportunity.”
Croft, who made his Glamorgan debut in 1989, spent 23 years at Glamorgan as a player and went on to take 1117 first-class wickets in a career punctuated by Championship success, and 71 appearances for England in Tests and One-Day Internationals.
“Glamorgan has been my home club for 28 years as a player and a coach and it was a very special moment when I was offered the chance to lead this group of players,” said Croft.
“I’m under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge that we will face but I have taken it on knowing that there is a collective desire to drive things forwards.
“The hard work starts now and I¹ll be looking to meet with the players and the back room team to firm up our plans as soon as I return to the UK.”
Assistant coach Steve Watkin, performance analyst David Harrison, strength and conditioning coach Tom Turner and physiotherapist Mark Rausa will continue to play key roles in the management of the Glamorgan squad with no decision currently taken as to whether an additional assistant is required to fill Croft¹s previous position.
Source: ECB