DORSET have appointed Ed Ellis as temporary head coach after Paul Prichard left the National Counties side.

Former Essex captain Prichard will take up coaching roles at Hampshire and leading women’s side the Southern Vipers.

Prichard offered his resignation from Dorset, which the county has accepted, to pave the way for his move.

Wicketkeeper-batter Ellis will fulfil the caretaker job throughout 2022 before a permanent successor to Prichard is appointed.

Dorset chairman Nick Eckland told Echosport the county hopes to attract “high-calibre” candidates to take the reins from 2023 onwards.

READ MORE: Dorset lose on final day of 2021 season to Oxfordshire

He said: “We have appointed Ed as Prich’s temporary replacement whilst we look for a permanent replacement next season.

“Ed has coaching experience with Oxford University and St Cross and an excellent reputation across the board.

“With a heavy heart we have accepted Paul’s resignation, he has been such a great ambassador for Dorset cricket over the years and leaves us to concentrate on other coaching opportunities. We wish him well and he remains a great friend of the club.

“We needed to act quickly and our decision has been to appoint an interim coach for 2022 whilst we considered our options for a permanent replacement next season.

“We hope to attract some high-calibre candidates to replace Paul but in the meantime Ed offers us continuity and an excellent rapport with the players. I know the club is in safe hands with Ed’s qualities and we wish him well for 2022.”

Dorset open their season with a Twenty20 double-header against Free Foresters on Sunday, April 10 at Sherborne School before opening their NCCA T20 season at Bashley in a double bill with Wiltshire seven days later.

National Counties cricket returns to Dorset in 2022 with Dorchester Rec scheduled to host the NCCA Trophy 50-over game against Buckinghamshire on Sunday, June 12 (11am).

Wimborne welcomes Dorset two weeks later as Wales visit The Leaze in the same 50-over competition before Dorset return to the ground on Sunday, July 10 for a crunch NCCA Championship game against 2019 champions and 2021 runners-up Berkshire.

The Leaze will again host the county on Sunday, August 21 for the final Championship clash with Cheshire.