UK: Zimbabwe’s Dougie Hondo joins Essex Cricket coaching staff

By Agencies

LONDON: Essex Cricket have named former Zimbabwe seamer Douglas Hondo as fast-bowling coach for the men’s team on a permanent basis following a temporary spell working with the club last season.

The 46-year-old has been added to a coaching set-up led by director of cricket Chris Silverwood which includes men’s batting coach Tom Huggins, academy director Barry Hyam and men’s high-performance coach Mark Pettini.

Hondo, who played nine Test matches and 56 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, said returning to Essex was a “no-brainer” after his experience at Chelmsford in 2025.

He spent time with the squad on a temporary basis during the 2025 season.

On joining the Club on a permanent basis, Hondo said: “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join Essex and to start this exciting new journey.

“From day one last summer, I was impressed by the culture, the passion, and the potential within the group.

“I am truly excited about the prospects ahead and the chance to work with such a skilful group of bowlers and I am also looking forward to working with a talented set of Academy bowlers who continue to show hunger to learn and grow.

“When I saw the position became available, it was a no brainer for me – I had to be part of the family. I value the warm welcome and the trust placed in me.

“I am looking forward to pushing standards, and contributing to a future filled with growth, success, and unforgettable moments. I’m proud to be joining Essex and ready to get stuck in.”

Silverwood described Hondo as “the perfect addition to our staff”

“We are delighted to welcome Dougie to the Club on a permanent basis,” he said.

“I worked with him back in Zimbabwe many years ago at Mashonaland, when he was my assistant, and more recently over the summer when he joined us temporarily during the County Championship and One Day Cup.

“Throughout the summer, he bonded really well with the lads and consistently demonstrated exactly what we were looking for in a Men’s Bowling Coach.

“Hondo has the exact skill set we are looking for, and alongside his great character, he will be the perfect addition to our staff.

“I am delighted he has agreed terms to join my elite group of staff, and I look forward to catching up with him over the winter as we prepare the squad for the 2026 season.”

Hondo is a former Zimbabwean fast-medium bowler who played domestic cricket in Zimbabwe for CFX Academy, Midlands, and Mashonaland before progressing to the national side.

As a young pace bowler, he further developed his skills at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where he trained under former Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee.

His strong domestic performances earned him a Test debut in September 2001 against South Africa at Harare, followed by his ODI debut a month later against England, also at Harare.

Beyond his bowling, Hondo was admired for his athletic fielding and upbeat character.

Following retirement from professional cricket, he moved into coaching, earning a Level 3 coaching qualification through Cricket Australia and later ECB Level 4, working with teams in England and New Zealand as well as a long stint as Zimbabwe Men’s Bowling Coach.