Somerset bowling coach, Steve Kirby, will be leaving the Club at the end of the season to take up the position of lead bowling coach for Zimbabwe.
The former fast bowler played for Somerset between 2011 and 2014, claiming over 180 wickets across the three formats of the game and re-joined the club as a coach ahead of the 2021 season.
Regarding his new position, Steve said: “I genuinely love the club and I’m going to miss everyone immensely. I’ve built up some amazing relationships over the past two years and it’s been really pleasing to see some of the younger bowlers coming through into the first team.
“However, when this opportunity came along, I felt it was one that was too good to ignore. I’ve got aspirations to be the very best coach that I can be, and international cricket is something that I really want to be involved with.
“I’ve worked really well with Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe head coach) previously when we are at Derbyshire and when this position presented itself, I felt that I couldn’t turn it down. The scale of the role is hugely exciting because I won’t just be working with the national XI, I’ll also be involved with the whole Pathway structure across the country.
“Somerset have been unbelievably supportive throughout this whole process, and I’m particularly grateful to Jason Kerr and Andy Hurry for the support that they’ve given me.
“I’ve never been at a club that’s as well supported as Somerset. We are unbelievably lucky to get such great backing. I’d like to thank the Members and supporters for welcoming me as both a player and a coach, and we’ll be doing everything we can to win the last four games of the season.
“It’s with a very heavy heart that I’m leaving but hopefully the door will always be open for me to come back one day.”
SCCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry, has thanked Steve for his hard work. “Steve’s dedication and commitment to the role and the club over the past two years has been outstanding,” he said. “Since joining up with the staff in early 2021 he has built up some very strong relationships and has played a key role in the growth of our bowler’s white-ball skills as well as being integral in overseeing the progression of a number of bowlers through to the First XI.
“His energy and passion for Somerset cricket shines through everything he does and there is no doubt we will really miss him. He is a popular figure amongst the players, the staff and our Members, and on behalf of everyone, we thank him for his unconditional contributions and wish him every success in his coaching career moving forward.
“We will be advertising for a new bowling coach and further announcements will be made in that regard in due course.”
Source: Somerset County/ SportsCast Writer
