Former Sussex coach Norman Gifford remains hooked on cricket.

Now the sixty-two-year-old former Test star is enjoying semi-retirement while passing on his wisdom to players of St James's Montefiore in the Sussex League.

Gifford piled up years of experience as a spinner with Warwickshire, Worcestershire and England before moving on to coach at Hove and with Durham.

His expert tuition at Thursday night nets has helped St James's, based near Ditchling, get off to an encouraging start in their first season of Premier Division action.

This is his Gifford's appointment as a club coach and he is thoroughly enjoying it.

He admitted: "Until now I have never had time to do something like this.

"I still do a bit at Durham but I am semi-retired. I know one of the committee at St James's and he asked if I would come down.

"I'm enjoying it. It's a good club and they are moving forward.

"I watch most of the games and I have seen one or two of the county boys in action.

"It's quite relaxing after the hurly-burly of county cricket. When you are in the county game, you don't just have to coach. There is so much going on behind the scenes."

Skipper Greg Heath says Gifford's experience has helped the side cope with the demands of the higher division.

He said: "We are well organised and we have got a good club spirit.

"Norman understands the challenge facing us and he has made an immediate impact.

"Numbers at net practice have gone up by about 30 per cent and we seem to have had an influx of spinners.

"Norman knows far more about cricket than anyone else in the league and he has certainly made a difference."

Gifford coaches all aspects of the game and particularly enjoys watching the young spinners do their stuff.

He said: "I'm happy doing this. It's just enough for me. I mainly deal with the first team and they have got three spinners, which is nice to see."