Sussex off-spinner Mark Davis is to retire from playing to concentrate on his new career as the county's second team coach.

As expected Davis, who is 34 next Monday, landed the job ahead of three other candidates who included former Sussex batsman Tony Cottey and ex-Northamptonshire wicket-keeper David Ripley.

Davis replaces Mark Robinson who has been promoted to first team coach following the departure of Peter Moores to the ECB National Academy.

Davis has run his own coaching academy in his native South Africa for the last three years although he is giving it up to devote all his energies to his new role.

He said: "It's something different and a natural progression in my career. I'm really looking forward to the new challenges."

Davis admitted his lack of first team opportunities this year contributed to his decision to concentrate on coaching.

He played in just four Championship games and bowled only 37 overs, however, he did feature in nine of Sussex's totesport League games as they won the second division title.

"It suited the balance of the team not to play me and I've got no problems with the management over that," he added.

"I didn't play much as a result so it makes sense to concentrate on this new role which I'm very excited about. I'm looking forward to working with Robbo. I think he is a great appointment as first team coach."

Davis's retirement means Ollie Rayner will be the other spinner in the squad apart from Mushtaq Ahmed and Davis has high hopes for the 19-year-old Academy graduate.

"Ollie has all the attributes to be a top off-spinner," said Davis. "He still has a lot to do but he'd got so much potential not just with his bowling but his batting as well, he is a useful player down the order."