Former Proteas Test spinner Simon Harmer has been named Essex’s T20 captain.

Harmer has succeeded former T20 skipper Ryan ten Doeschate, who will continue to lead the first-class and List A team.

‘It’s an exciting challenge, I think there’s going to be a lot of expectation, as we haven’t performed to the levels we know we’re capable of, but it’s a challenge that I wanted and I’m really looking forward to leading the team in the right direction,’ said Harmer.

‘My biggest focus is going to be making sure we’re doing the right things off the field, training hard and taking care of the little things in cricket, and ultimately the rest of it should take care of itself.

‘Ryan has done an unbelievable job as captain, if you look at the position Essex were in five years ago compared to now, a lot of that is down to him and the decisions he has made at the club.

‘It is daunting in a way as we have so much respect for Ryan, so I think its’s going to be different with me coming in and the changing room having a different voice, but I’m sure the players will buy into the things myself and the coaching staff believe in.’

Harmer played the last of five Tests in November 2015 – and has since fashioned a successful career as a Kolpak cricketer in the United Kingdom. He was part of the Jozi Stars squad that won the inaugural Mzansi Super League in South Africa late last year.

Essex’s opening 2019 T20 Blast fixture will be against Middlesex at Lord’s on 18 July.