ESSEX bowling coach Graeme Welch has decided to leave the club at the start of next month

ESSEX bowling coach Graeme Welch has decided to leave the club at the start of next month.

The former Warwickshire paceman has been at Chelmsford since 2007, but admitted it was time to move back to his roots in Birmingham.

"I have made some great friends over the past two years; the club has been very good to me by giving me a chance to start my coaching career," he said.

"There is a lot of young talent coming through which stands Essex in a very good position.

"Having started my career at Warwickshire I spent ten years at Edgbaston. My son lives in Birmingham and he is growing up quickly, I obviously do not want to miss out on his childhood.

"It has been a great experience working with the coaching staff here at Essex. Over the last couple of years I have learnt a huge amount from Graham Gooch, Paul Grayson, Barry Hyam and John Childs and I thank them for all they have done."

Essex first XI coach Paul Grayson added: "We have all enjoyed working with Graeme; he quickly became a popular member of the dressing room.

"He was not only a big influence on the bowlers but all of the playing staff. With his family situation he obviously wants to be closer to home, he is not leaving for any cricket reasons.

"He will be missed, but it is up to us now to support our bowlers for the upcoming season."