Alan Richardson: Worcestershire promote ex-seamer to head coach from his role as assistant

Alan Richardson has previously also worked as a coach with England's national team

Worcestershire have promoted Alan Richardson to the role of head coach from his job as assistant.

The 47-year-old replaces Alex Gidman, who left New Road last month after four seasons as head coach.

Former Staffordshire and Warwickshire seam bowler Richardson took 254 wickets in 60 first-class matches as a player for Worcestershire before joining the coaching staff at New Road in 2018.

"It's a proud moment for me to take on this role," Richardson said.

Former Worcestershire and Gloucestershire batsman Kadeer Ali, elder brother of England all-rounder Moeen, has been promoted from his role as second XI coach to become Richardson's assistant.

Former England Under-19 international Kadeer has been second XI coach since 2019.

Richardson, who has worked as pace bowling coach with the England national team, was voted as one of Wisden's five cricketers of the year in 2012, when he took 73 Championship wickets for the county at the age of 36 to help keep the Pears in Division One.

The club's search for a director of cricket remains ongoing.

Worcestershire announced in July that they were planning a change of structure - and that they would look to being back the title of director of cricket, for a new wide-ranging role "responsible for all coaching staff, cricket operations, science and medicine and the academy".

Paul Pridgeon, chair of Worcestershire's cricket steering group, said: "Alan Richardson and Kadeer Ali have a deep understanding of the club. They are amongst the most respected and progressive coaches around.

"They deserve their chance to excel and build on our impressive foundations. They will be further assisted by other important hires over the coming months."

Worcestershire finished fourth in Division Two of the County Championship in 2022 - 31 points adrift of Middlesex, who took the second promotion spot.