Former Central Districts cricketer Ben Smith is returning to the major association this month as a specialist coach to help boost its flagship men's team during their white-ball campaign this summer.
Smith, who represented the Devon Hotel-sponsored CD Stags during the 2000-01 and 2001-02 seasons, will support coach Heinrich Malan during the McDonald's Super Smash Twenty20 and one-day Ford Trophy competitions.
After a first-class and list A career of 733 matches, Smith scored a combined 28,676 runs.
He has an ECB level four coaching qualifications and has assumed the mantle of mentor at Worcestershire and Leicestershire county cricket clubs as well as with the ECB development squad.
His experience makes him a valuable asset to the team during the T20 and limited-overs competitions.
"I am absolutely delighted to be involved with the Stags this season. I am confident that my experience as a player and coach will add to the development and successes of this talented group of cricketers", says Smith in a statement through CD Cricket.
"This is an exciting opportunity and I am really looking forward to revisiting Central Districts to work alongside Heinrich, his staff, the players and all involved at the Stags", he says.
Malan was quick to endorse the input of Smith.
"We are really excited to have somebody with Ben's extensive playing and coaching experience on board with us this season. Having a fresh voice around the boys will no doubt have a positive impact heading into what is a very busy and exciting white-ball period," says the South African coach in his third season.
Smith's appointment means former Black Cap Jacob Oram, of Palmerston North, will not be involved this season.
CD chief executive Pete de Wet says it was a tough call to make.
"I know that Jacob is extremely disappointed not to be involved but I support the decision to bring in Ben," says De Wet. "This is not only about providing our players with new coaching energy but also about giving Heinrich the chance to work with another experienced first-class coach."
He reveals a more focused high-performance plan, closely aligned to New Zealand Cricket's one, has prompted a different approach.
"We will revisit this as part of our post-season review and assess whether this approach has delivered the success that we hope it will."
Smith will join the Stags squad for round five of the four-day Plunket Shield match in Napier from Tuesday next week and will remain until the end of the Ford Trophy early February.