Zimbabwe appoint former English fast bowler Steve Kirby as bowling coach

Zimbabwe have appointed former English fast bowler Steve Kirby as their bowling coach and will join the side prior to the upcoming T20 World Cup next month. He expressed that he has aspirations to be the “best coach” that he can be. He also said that he has worked well with Zimbabwe head coach Dave Houghton before.

The duo previously worked together at Derbyshire in the English county. He added that he could not turn the offer down when he got this opportunity to be a part of the Zimbabwean coaching setup. He called the role “exciting” as he would now be able to work with the best players in the nation. 

"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," Kirby was quoted as saying in a Zimbabwe Cricket statement. "I've worked really well with Dave Houghton previously when we were 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, but I'll also be involved with the whole pathway structure across the country," he added.

We count ourselves privileged to have him: Zimbabwe Cricket

Meanwhile, the Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, Hamilton Masakadza heaped praise on Kirby, saying that the side is lucky and privileged to have the Englishman on board.

"We are delighted to confirm Steve as our Bowling Coach for the senior men's team," Masakadza said. "He has done incredibly well as a player and coach in county cricket over the years and, as we seek to continue strengthening all facets of our game and improving our performances at the highest level, we count ourselves privileged and fortunate to have him as part of our technical set-up."

Kirby formerly played for Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Somerset and Yorkshire, among others in the English domestic circuit. In 167 first-class games, he took 572 wickets, 17 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls. He also has 142 List-A wickets in 104 games.