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Bracewell to quit Black Caps for Gloucestershire

07/07/2008

New Zealand head coach John Bracewell is to return to Gloucestershire as the club's new director of cricket from next year.

The 50-year-old coached the County Championship side for five years between 1998 and 2003 before leaving to take charge of his native national side five years ago.

Bracewell's time with Gloucestershire was very successful as he led the team to a total of seven trophies, including a double in 1999 and an unprecedented treble the following season.

And the county's chairman John Light said he is "very pleased to welcome him back".

"When last with us John Bracewell brought us trophies and promotion to the first division in 2003," Light stated.

"The whole club has the will to support him and the appointment of a renowned figure to lead our cricket shows our determination to take Gloucestershire forward.

"We now have a great opportunity which we must seize."

Bracewell himself said he is "delighted" to return to the club, which he described as his "family" and "a second home".

"I have gained great experience from international cricket and hope to invest that in the cricket club," he added.