this year marks the 25th anniversary of worcestershire’s 1994 lord’s final triumph – and the man who masterminded that success will be the worcestershire cricket society’s guest speaker next tuesday in the hick pavilion (7.30pm start).
david houghton initially joined worcestershire as captain and coach of the county’s second eleven for the 1994 season but was quickly promoted into the role of first team coach and spent four seasons in the role.
by the end of that season the county had reached two lord’s finals – losing the benson and hedges cup final to warwickshire but then defeating their local rivals in the natwest trophy final to deny them a grand slam of all of cricket’s four domestic trophies.
houghton, who is now head of cricket at derbyshire, was a distinguished international batsman-wicket-keeper for zimbabwe and was still playing test and odi cricket during his four year spell at New Road.
he still holds the record for the most runs scored at test match level – 1,464 at an average of 43.05 from 22 appearances – without registering a duck.
houghton scored a century on his debut against india in harare in october 1992 and still holds the record for the highest score by a zimbabwean in test cricket – 266 against sri lanka in 1994-1995.
he was also a fine odi player and in the 1987 world cup scored 142 off 137 balls against new zealand with six sixes and 13 fours.
bulawayo-born david also represented his country at hockey as a talented goalkeeper.
houghton has since become a respected tv commentator and held several leading coaching roles, including his own country, an initial spell at derbyshire and as batting coach at somerset and then, for the past four years, middlesex.
non society members can attend next tuesday for an admission charge of £5.
