Dave Nosworthy, who is highly regarded in world cricket circles as one of the leading coaches in the game, has been appointed as the new Director of Cricket at Somerset CCC.

His previous and vast first-class management and coaching roles spanning over a thirteen year period include the South African Titans, the Highveld Lions, the South African ‘A’, and the South African U19’s teams – as well as the New Zealand ‘A’ and Canterbury Wizards teams.

Dave Nosworthy was born in Johannesburg on Christmas Day in 1967, and first made his name playing provincial school boy and U24 cricket, followed by playing First Class Cricket for the South African Border and Northern Transvaal cricket teams as a top order batsman based in the towns of East London and Pretoria respectively. Although Dave never made the step up to international cricket in South Africa, he was always a well-respected player.

After retiring from playing he delved into the business world for a few years and then took up a coaching and managing role with the Pretoria based franchise the Nashua Titans based at Centurion Park where he led them to two T20 trophies and numerous finals. During this period, he was also appointed as the South African ‘U19’ Head Coach on a tour to England and the South African ‘A’ team Head Coach in a series against the Sri Lankans.

In 2005 Dave was appointed as the Head Coach of the South African National Academy, before leaving for New Zealand in September of that year.

In New Zealand Dave directed and coached the first-class Canterbury Wizards team, where he took the team to a State Championship title in 2007-08, as well as victories in the State Shield and the T20 competition in 2005-06. In 2007 he was appointed as the Head Coach of the New Zealand ‘A’ team which toured Australia successfully.

In September 2008 after being approached to become the Head Coach of the South African first-class cricket team the Highveld Lions based in Johannesburg, Dave returned to take up the position. During this period he led the Lions to two T20 finals and two Champions League appearances.

Over the last four seasons Dave has also very successfully led the South African Emerging Players team to Australia, and had coaching roles in both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Sri Lankan Premier League (SLPL).

After accepting the post Dave said: “I am absolutely delighted to be coming to Somerset along with my family. The Club has a proud tradition, is currently in great shape, and is clearly an exciting place to be. I personally am really looking forward to the challenges of building on the current strengths of the Club, the many proud traditions, and the great work done by the many that have passed before me.”

Vic Marks, the Chairman of the Cricket Committee said: “We interviewed candidates from all over the world; those with exceptional playing backgrounds and international coaching experience but there was no doubt that Dave Nosworthy was the outstanding candidate and the panel were unanimous in their decision.

“The Director of Cricket’s role is a very broad one requiring excellent cricketing knowledge and experience, combined with strong leadership and communication skills – Dave demonstrated all of these during the extensive selection process and he is undoubtedly the right man to take the Club forward.”

Andy Nash, the Somerset Chairman said: “We are delighted that Dave has agreed to join us and build on the outstanding work of Brian Rose. I know that all of our Members’ and Supporters’ will give him every assistance in settling into Somerset and preparing the Club for the commencement of the 2013 season and beyond.”