Gloucestershire eye up Bracewell return

New Zealand coach John Bracewell has been approached by Gloucestershire, where he was such a success between 1998 and 2003, with a view to him returning to the county when his current contract expires.

Mark Alleyne, who took over as coach when Bracewell left and was captain during his time there, parted company with the county last week, and Bracewell is believed to be their preferred target for the role as director of cricket.

''I am totally committed to the Black Caps until my contract concludes,'' Bracewell told the New Zealand Herald. ''I have had an approach from Gloucestershire but there's a lot of water to flow under the bridge before I can make a decision on my future.''

Bracewell, who has been in charge of the New Zealand side since 2004, is contracted until May 2009 so it may well be that the county appoints someone on an interim basis until then.