FORMER Hampshire star Nic Pothas will be back at the Ageas Bowl next week - with Middlesex.

Hampshire's wicketkeeper-batsman from 2002-2011 has joined Middlesex as an assistant coach, having had coaching experience with Sussex, Guernsey, Sri Lanka and the West Indies since leaving the Ageas Bowl.

He will be back for a two-day friendly at the Ageas Bowl on March 21/22 as Hampshire have arranged a two-day friendly against Middlesex ahead of their first game of the season on April 5.

Hampshire also have friendlies against Sussex at Hove (March 25/26) and Oxford MCCU in The Parks (March 31-April 2) before beginning their season with a Specsavers County Championship match against Essex at The Ageas Bowl.

Pothas will also return to the Ageas Bowl with Middlesex for a Royal London One-Day Cup match on April 23, having been reunited with Stuart Law, Middlesex’s head coach, who he worked alongside as the West Indies lead fielding coach.

Pothas was also the Windies’ interim head coach for the second half of England’s recent tour after Law joined Middlesex in January.

Following his appointment by Middlesex, he said: “It is a great honour to be joining arguably the most prestigious club in England, steeped in history and success.

“I’m looking forward to joining a great group of players and staff in bringing success to Middlesex Cricket and their supporters as well as renewing a working relationship with Stuart Law, with whom I share an aligned philosophy to improving players and environments.

“It goes without saying that having Lords as your home is like being a kid at Christmas again.”

Middlesex director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “Stuart Law was always keen to link up again with Nic and when he became available, we moved quickly. Nic’s energy, desire and commitment is huge and he and Stuart complement each other extremely well.

“Stuart, Nic and Alan Coleman give Middlesex Cricket a coaching team to be extremely proud of. Their presence has already provided and produced great energy, skill and enthusiasm to our cricket.”

Meanwhile, Dimi Mascarenhas, Pothas’s former Hampshire teammate, has been replaced as Essex’s assistant/bowling coach by Andre Nel.