Gloucestershire cut ties with Bracewell

Gloucestershire have announced the departure of director of cricket John Bracewell as part of a cricket operations restructure at the club.

The 56-year-old has reached a mutual agreement to leave the county, who are hoping to appoint his successor before his exit on January 31.

The former New Zealand international had a huge amount of success during his first spell in charge at the Bristol County Ground, between 1999 and 2003.

Bracewell was at the helm when Gloucestershire dominated one-day cricket, leading the club to five limited-overs trophies and the County Championship Division Two title during that time.

He returned to his homeland in 2003, taking over as New Zealand head coach for six years, before returning to Gloucestershire.

Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown said: “We would like to thank John for all of his hard work and dedication to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club over his time with the club. 

Gloucestershire and John Bracewell have decided to part company, with the former New Zealand head coach leaving on January 31

“He led the club through an unparalleled period of success and will rightly always be regarded as one of our most successful coaches ever. We wish him all the best with the next stage in his career.”

Bracewell has struggled to replicate the success from his first spell second time round.

Gloucestershire have failed to finish higher than fourth in Division Two of the championship in the last six seasons.

They have also struggled in the limited-overs formats, advancing past the quarter-finals just once, in the 2009 Friends Provident Trophy when they lost in the last four to eventual runners-up Sussex.

Bracewell said: “There are times in a coach’s career when he has to take the training wheels off and let his charges make their own decisions on how they move forward. I feel this time is now. 

“This group of players are ripe to produce and I would like to thank them and my coaching staff for their hard work and desire to learn and improve. 

“I would also like to thank the members who have travelled this journey. Your loyalty to this young group growing up through what has been one of the toughest periods in our history will be rewarded I’m sure. 

“I have loved the challenge that was laid in front of me six years ago and with the club having secured its future with international cricket it is time for us all to move on.”

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