Matt Walker Replaces Graham Gooch At Essex

Matt Walker Replaces Graham Gooch At Essex

Graham Gooch is taking up a full-time position with England.

©Action Images / Jason O'Brien

Graham Gooch has stood down as Essex batting coach ahead of the 2012 season in order to “focus fully on his role with the England set-up” a statement from Essex CCC has announced. He will continue in his role as Ambassador to the club.

During his time with Essex, Gooch has helped advance the careers of England duo Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara, alongside a plethora of other batsmen from the county. To this end he was understandably reluctant to leave.

He said, “I’m sad that I am unable to continue my coaching duties with Essex. I never wanted to relinquish this role at the club working with Paul [Grayson, head coach] but as my England commitments have grown it is now impossible to do justice to both roles. I look forward to supporting Essex cricket in the future through my work as the Club Ambassador.”

His replacement has been confirmed as county batsman Matt Walker, who it is understood will continue as a member of the playing staff, albeit in a reduced capacity, for 2012.

He has been given the slightly wider brief of Assistant Coach and said of his appointment: “I am very honoured and flattered to be asked to become Assistant Coach to Paul at Essex. I am very much looking forward to the new role, especially working with an exciting group of players. Although I will be registered as a player, I’m extremely focused on helping Paul Grayson and the rest of the coaching staff achieve success in the near future.”

Other County News In Brief:
Glen Chapple has unsurprisingly been reappointed as Lancashire’s captain for the 2012 season. Last season he led the club to their first Championship triumph for 77 years and was named their Player of the Year for the second successive year.

Tickets, priced at £30 a head, have gone on sale for Somerset’s annual Harry Burden Memorial Luncheon which will be held on 14^th December. The dinner is held in memory of promising cricketer, Harry Burden, who died aged eight from leukaemia. The guest speaker will be first-class umpire Jeff Evans. For more information, please visit the club’s website.

The Mountaineers, a side including Durham wicket-keeper Phil Mustard, prevailed over the Mashonaland Eagles, a team that fielded four county professionals, in the final of Zimbabwe’s Twenty20 competition. Many other county cricketers were involved in the 10-day extravaganza. Cricket World will have a review of the tournament shortly.

© Cricket World 2011