Kent Cricket have announced the appointment of Second XI Coach Mark Dekker as the Interim Men’s Head Coach for the Metro Bank One Day Cup.

Dekker, a former Zimbabwe Test cricketer, has previously been Academy Cricket Coach at Tonbridge School, before taking up the role of Lead Coach of Kent Women during their successful period of the late 2010s, culminating in winning the last Women’s County Championship as Coach in 2019.

He has since taken on coaching roles involved in all aspects of Kent’s Talent Pathway, working with the Second XI and nurturing up-and-coming talent at the Club.

He will take over Head Coach duties from Matt Walker whilst he resumes his coaching role with Oval Invincibles during The Hundred.

On leading the Kent Spitfires in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Dekker said: “It’s an honour for me to coach our one-day squad heading into our 50-over season.

“I’m excited by the talent we have here, both with experienced players and some of our younger talent. This tournament is a great opportunity for our young squad to gain first-team experience and will benefit Kent Cricket immensely by continuing their development.

“I’m looking forward to working with our One-Day Captain Jack Leaning and the coaches here to make us competitive in 50-over cricket this Summer.”

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, said: “Mark is a great coach with a lot of experience, whether that be from his time with Kent Women, winning Championships with a predominantly homegrown squad, or coaching the next generation of Kent cricketers through the Kent Cricket Academy and our Second team.

“The Metro Bank One Day Cup gives us an opportunity to push the development of players as well as giving talent exposure of first-team cricket, with homegrown products having the ability to play alongside first-team players and our overseas players for this tournament in Beyers Swanepoel and Charlie Stobo.