Monte Lynch to coach Southern Rocks

Former England player Monte Lynch has been signed by the Southern Rocks franchise as head coach for the 2010-11 season. Lynch played only three ODIs for England in 1988, but had a more storied first-class career, representing Gloucestershire, Surrey and Guyana in 359 games.

Lynch was born in Guyana before migrating with his family to the UK as a child. After retiring from first-class cricket, he continued playing club cricket in Surrey. This will not be his first stint in Zimbabwe, having played and coached Old Winstonians, then a Harare-based development clube, in the mid-1990s.

"He is very happy to come here," Southern Rocks chief executive Givemore Makoni told Independent Sport. "He can't wait to return to Zimbabwe. He has wonderful memories of the country and wants to resume the good job he started.

"If you notice, we didn't do too well last season because we had a young side. With his experience, Monte will add a lot of value to the team because the guys will be exposed to quality coaching," Makoni said.

Makoni mentioned Lynch had played a key role with the Old Winstonians, where he was involved in the progress of Zimbabwe cricketers Tatenda Taibu and Stuart Matsikenyeri, who were in primary school at the time. Coincidentally, Taibu and Matsikenyeri will be reunited with their mentor following their move to Rocks ahead of the new season.

Lynch becomes the second high-profile coach to join a Zimbabwean side ahead of the upcoming season, after former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie signed a deal with Midwest Rhinos.