Mason joins Foxes after Worcestershire demotion

Matt Mason has left Worcestershire weeks after being demoted in a reshuffle to take up the role of Leicestershire bowling coach.

Mason lost his Worcestershire bowling coach role following the appointment of Matt Rawnsley as chief executive. Alan Richardson's return to his former club saw Mason put in charge of the 2nd XI in addition to overseeing a number of outreach coaching programmes involving young player and coach development.

Mason, though, has quit before he had a chance to take up the post. He has played a central role at Worcestershire in developing some of the brightest young seam bowling talents in county cricket, including Josh Tongue, who has attracted England Lions, and Adam Finch, who won England honours in the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

He also has extensive experience with the ECB and is currently working as a coach with the Pace Programme in Potchefstroom, South Africa where George Scrimshaw, another young Worcestershire quick, is under scrutiny. He has also worked with England Women at senior and junior level, as well as coaching England's Elite Fast Bowling group.

Worcestershire hoped that the appointment of Kevin Sharp as head coach - in succession to Steve Rhodes, who was removed as director of cricket for failing to report an allegation of rape against one of his players - would help restore stability in the county. Mason's departure means their challenge is far from over.

Mason's appointment completes a round of county ring a ring o' roses which began at the end of last season when Graeme Welch, who had fulfilled the role of Leicestershire bowling coach, returned to Edgbaston to replace Richardson. Richardson replaced Mason; Mason now replaces Welch.

Leicestershire, meanwhile, who first advertised their bowling coach role in November, will feel the reshuffle at New Road could not have been better timed.

Leicestershire's new head coach Paul Nixon said: "Matt is a very good bowling coach with lots of experience of both county cricket and working with the ECB. He has helped to develop a number of very good young seam bowlers in his time at Worcestershire CCC. I know that he is Matt is the perfect fit for our coaching team."