Player/coach Afzaal excited to be at Matlock and Cromford Meadows CC

The 47-year-old has vast experience of life at the crease in both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, as well as having represented both Notts and Worcestershire’s seconds.

But with the merger of the Matlock CC and Cromford Meadows CC over the winter and with three adult teams to help oversee as well as some promising junior players, Afzaal thinks it’s a great time to make the move.

He said: “I wanted to pursue the coaching route more and this club fitted the bill perfectly for me. I’ve been doing a lot with the academy my brother Usman runs, International Cricket Masters, and with my 11-year-old son also playing now, it’s ignited my passion for it again.

"I have contacts at the club from my previous roles and having spoken to the captain and various members of the team, it seems a great move.”

Afzaal still hopes to make an impact on the pitch, having been a successful top order batsman throughout his career, but his main focus will be on the coaching side at all levels.

"I want to give something back having played for so long and being proud to have gained lots of experience,” he said.

"There are some very talented players around of all ages, both boys and girls, and with the new club having an ethos of bringing home grown players through to the adult teams, it will be great to help identify and help the best ones.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has, like with other sports, hit cricket hard over the last year but Afzaal says things are starting to look better with the new county cricket league season beginning on April 17.

He added: “It’s impacted on all areas, especially the coaching side, but it seems we’re getting towards being ready to get going now.

"It will be an interesting season, especially with the new results system being introduced which will take draws out of the equation and which I think will make the game a lot more exciting, so I can’t wait to get started.”