Dawson wins Gloucestershire coaching post

Gloucestershire have appointed Richard Dawson, the former Yorkshire, Gloucestershire and England offspinner, as head coach. He replaces the New Zealander John Bracewell, who announced his intention to step down in December, and will take up the role with immediate effect.

Yorkshire, where Dawson was 2nd X1 coach, will ruefully conclude they are now not just providing players to England, but their coaches are being raided too. They lost Paul Farbrace a year ago when he fulfilled a brief stint as Sri Lanka head coach before becoming No 2 to Peter Moores in England's coaching team and now Dawson's stay at Headingley has been even more shortlived as he furthers his ambitions.

Dawson, Doncaster born, has a strong West Country background. He ended his playing career with Gloucestershire in 2011 season and remained with the county as spin-bowling and one-day coach, before moving to Headingley.

Dawson, unveiled on Friday in Bristol, where his family remain, told the Bristol Evening Post: "It has all been a bit of a rollercoaster ride really and everything has happened in the last 48 hours. I was offered the post on Wednesday.

"I'm 34, so this is a really big challenge for me, but it's one I feel I'm ready for. The 10 months I spent working at Yorkshire was very important in terms of my development and I learned an awful lot during my time there.

"I was 2nd X1 coach, but they gave me the opportunity to work with senior players during what was a winning period. Having played there as a player and then gone back there as a coach, you realise just how big a place it is and what the expectations are. It has been good preparation for me ahead of taking this job with Gloucestershire.

"I love the hands-on side of coaching and I'm looking forward to introducing new ideas and ensuring everyday has a purpose. We have some very talented players here and I want to give them the belief to go out there and show what they can do."

"The one thing I learned up there in Yorkshire is that you go in every day and try your best. It is not about doing well in just one competition, but realising there are three competitions you need to do well in.

Will Brown, Gloucestershire's chief executive, expressed gratitude to Yorkdshire for allowing a speedy transition. "Richard is one of the new breed of modern, up-and-coming, innovative coaches," he said. "He is deeply passionate about what he does and he wears his heart n his sleeve. When he loses, he fills the swear box and when he wins, he is bouncing around the place. That is the kind of enthusiasm our young players will respond to."

Yorkshire, meanwhile, were left with the impending task of sifting through the latest applicants for what has become one of the best stepping stones in cricket. " We are disappointed to be losing him, he has been a crucial part of our coaching structure however we understand he's an ambitious person who truly deserves this opportunity," said the county's chief executive, Mark Arthur.