John Bracewell is confident he can make an immediate impact on his return to Gloucestershire as director of cricket.

One of the key aspects that attracted the New Zealander to return was the development of young talent, but he insists the present squad can prosper.

He told BBC Points West: "We've the squad to be successful and should be.

"We've an experienced batting line-up, two more-than-useful opening bowlers, a quality off-spinner and two of the guys have won championships in the past."

Bracewell turned down the opportunity to work in the Indian Premier League to return to Gloucestershire and fire a resurgence at the county.

Last season they finished bottom of Division Two of the County Championship without winning a game and struggled in the Twenty20 Cup.

But they have held on to an experienced core of players in captain Alex Gidman, Jon Lewis, Steve Kirby and Chris Taylor.

606: DEBATE Bracewell is back! Any guesses on the overseas player? snowyajw

And Bracewell hopes to hold on to another link to past glories in the guise of former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell and is also "very close" to signing an overseas player to complete his squad for the campaign.

"I'll be trying my upmost to keep Jack involved within the club," he added of Russell, who was the county's 'team mentor' last season.

Bracewell, who won six one-day titles in five seasons in Bristol before taking charge of his home country in October 2003, feels those ingredients can help propel the county towards the trophies that were commonplace during his last stint at the helm.

"I understand they've been training really well and they have the experience to perform," he added.

"We have the depth across the board and the balance within the squad to be able to perform.

"It's about trusting in the programmes that we're going to do, it's trusting in the processes that we put in place and trusting in your team-mates when you go onto the park.

"That was the great thing that Mark Alleyne installed in the players during that good era; trust.

"Every player on the park knew that Mark Alleyne believed in them and their performance."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version