Derbyshire have appointed experienced coach, Ben Smith, as the Club’s new Batting Coach.
Smith enjoyed a prolific career with the bat for Leicestershire and Worcestershire, scoring more than 18,000 first-class runs and winning the County Championship twice.
The 51-year-old was equally adept in red and white ball cricket, scoring centuries in all three formats, and brings a wealth of coaching experience to Mickey Arthur’s team, having held roles with Leicestershire, Worcestershire, Northamptonshire, Ireland and New Zealand Super Smash side, Central Stags.
He replaces Ian Bell, who joined Derbyshire as a Batting Consultant in 2022, with Smith joining the Club as a full-time Batting Coach at the beginning of February, following the conclusion of the Super Smash.
Head of Cricket, Mickey Arthur, said: “I’m so pleased to welcome Ben into our coaching team, he’s highly regarded within the game and I was really impressed with him throughout the recruitment process.
“Ian Bell has done an excellent job over the last couple of seasons, but now he’s ready for the next stage of his coaching journey and we wish him all the best for the future.
“At this stage in our squad’s development, it’s important our batters can receive constant support, day in day out, and that’s what Ben will provide for us.”
Smith added: “It’s great to be joining Derbyshire, I’m impressed by the ability of the squad and I’m looking forward to getting to work with our batters.
“Mickey is trying to do something really exciting at this Club, and it’s a project I’m really looking forward to being a part of.”
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