FORMER Kent all-rounder Mark Dobson has been appointed coach to the England Womens' Test team.

The 39-year-old is an ECB Level Three qualified coach and has been responsible for coaching the ECB's regional women's side the Super 4s Emeralds squad.

Dobson played nine first-class matches for Kent from 1989-1991, averaging 17 with the bat while taking eight wickets costing 55 apiece. He ended his playing career with a season at Glamorgan in 1992.

Since retiring Dobson has coached Kent Academy squads and will be leaving his post as head of PE at St Edmunds School in Canterbury, to take up this full-time position of England women's head coach.

Dobson said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been offered the role and very excited at the prospect of working with the top women’s players in the country.”

The appointmenr extends Kent links with the women's game, in recent years former Kent players Chris Penn and Paul Farbrace have also helped coach the national squad.