Mark Alleyne returns for second spell as Head Coach at Gloucestershire Cricket

He says he's 'truly blessed' for coming back as the head coach

Author: PA SportPublished 1st Feb 2024

Mark Alleyne described himself as "truly blessed" after returning for a second spell as Gloucestershire head coach.

Alleyne made almost 800 appearances for Gloucestershire between 1986 and 2005, winning nine trophies, and continued his affiliation with the club as head coach following the end of his playing days.

He left the county ahead of the 2008 season but has had several positions since then, most recently as Glamorgan's white-ball head coach last year while he was part of the backroom staff for England's T20 tour of the West Indies in 2022.

"I'm feeling truly blessed to be given the opportunity to lead Gloucestershire," said the 55-year-old, who made 10 ODI appearances for England between January 1999 and October 2000.

"I'm now at a time in my career where I've been exposed to coaching right at the top level for a number of years and have gained lots of experience.

"I'm hoping the skills I've picked up along the way will allow me to have a positive impact on the team."

Alleyne has put pen to paper on a three-year deal and will link up with Gloucestershire at the beginning of March to take charge of the remainder of pre-season training.

He takes over from Dale Benkenstein, who was appointed Lancashire head coach last month, following what Gloucestershire described as a "rigorous recruitment process spanning several weeks."

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