Jon Lewis Appointed as New Director of Cricket at Gloucestershire Cricket Club

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October 15, 2025

former England Coach Jon Lewis Headlines coaching Shakeup in County Cricket

bristol, UK – October 15, 2025 – A significant shift is underway in teh English county cricket scene as Jon Lewis returns to Gloucestershire County Cricket Club as their new Performance Director. Simultaneously, Kent County Cricket Club has announced the return of club legend Darren Stevens to their coaching staff.

Lewis Completes Return to Gloucestershire

Jon Lewis, a Former England International with 16 caps across all formats, is returning to Gloucestershire, the county where he spent the majority of his playing career. Lewis previously held coaching roles with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), including positions as Under-19s Head Coach and Fast-Bowling Coach.He expressed his enthusiasm, stating it “feels like coming home” to the club.

his previous stint as England Women’s Coach concluded following a challenging 16-0 Ashes defeat in Australia, leading to his replacement by Charlotte Edwards. Lewis also brings experience from his time with the UP Warriorz in the women’s Premier League (WPL). A key focus of his new role will be to oversee Gloucestershire’s development of a fully professional Women’s cricket program.

Collaboration with Mark Alleyne

Lewis will work in close partnership with mark Alleyne, the current Head Coach of Gloucestershire’s Men’s team. Alleyne had a successful first season, winning the T20 blast, but the 2024 campaign proved disappointing. This appointment finally fills the void left by the departure of Steve Snell as Performance director in 2023.

“It’s a big job. There’s a lot to do,” Lewis acknowledged. His core aim is to nurture talent. “I’m excited to be back at a place that has a really special meaning for me.It created a lot of opportunities for me to be better as a player, and hopefully I can give peopel opportunities to do the same things that I did here.”

Addressing Squad Gaps and Local Talent

Lewis has identified a critical need to bolster Gloucestershire’s local player pipeline. “We haven’t had a really strong production line of cricketers coming from Gloucestershire and Bristol. That’s a high priority for us here at the club, to make sure that we put the processes in place that are able to produce Gloucestershire cricketers from Gloucestershire.”

The Club is currently navigating several player departures,including Archie Bailey,Ajeet Singh Dale,Zaman Akhter,Josh Shaw,Dom Goodman,and tom Price. While Craig Miles and Will Williams are joining, Lewis is actively seeking further reinforcements.”It’s critically important that we try to work out how to replace those players, whether it’s from within the squad or also from outside, or from overseas.”

Departing Players	Joining Players
Archie bailey (Durham)	craig Miles (Warwickshire)
Ajeet singh Dale (Lancashire)	Will Williams (Lancashire)
Zaman Akhter (Essex)
Josh shaw (Somerset)
Dom Goodman (Sussex)
tom Price (Sussex)

Stevens Returns to Kent

In a separate development, Kent County Cricket Club has welcomed back Darren Stevens, a beloved figure in their history. Stevens will join Adam Hollioake’s coaching staff as a Bowling consultant starting in 2026. Stevens previously spent a significant portion of his career with Kent before departing three years ago and has since gained coaching experience with South East Stars and Essex women.

He will collaborate with Kent’s new Bowling Coach, Sam Faulkner, and Jaahid Ali, the newly appointed Batting Coach, who replaces Toby Radford. Simon Cook,Kent’s Director of Cricket,praised Stevens’ return,highlighting the positive impact he will have on both the members and the players.

The Evolving Landscape of County Cricket Coaching

The recent coaching appointments across county cricket highlight a trend towards bringing back familiar faces with deep ties to their respective clubs.This approach offers a unique blend of institutional knowledge and renewed energy. According to a 2024 report by the ECB, clubs are increasingly prioritizing coaches who understand the local cricket ecosystem and can effectively develop homegrown talent. The demand for specialist coaches, like bowling consultants such as Stevens, is also increasing, reflecting the growing sophistication of the game.

Did You Know?: Darren stevens, at 46, was not offered a new contract by Kent three years ago, demonstrating the evolving criteria for player retention even at the highest levels of the game.

Pro Tip: For aspiring cricket coaches, building strong relationships with local clubs and demonstrating a commitment to player development can substantially enhance career prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Jon Lewis’s primary goal at Gloucestershire? To develop a robust player pipeline for Gloucestershire, focusing on local talent.
• Why did Jon Lewis leave his role as England Women’s Coach? Due to the team’s performance in the 2022-23 Ashes series against Australia.
• What role will Darren Stevens play at Kent? He will serve as a Bowling Consultant, offering his expertise to the first-team bowlers.
• What challenges does Jon Lewis face at Gloucestershire? Addressing a recent exodus of seam bowlers and building a competitive squad.
• How important is local talent development for gloucestershire? It’s a high priority, as the club aims to produce more players from the Gloucestershire and Bristol area.
• What is the significance of Stevens’ return to Kent? his return is seen as a major positive for the club’s fanbase and a boost to its coaching setup.
• What trends are shaping County Cricket coaching appointments? A focus on coaches with a strong connection to the club and specialist coaching roles.

What are your thoughts on these recent coaching changes? Do you believe bringing back club legends is a positive trend for county cricket? Share your opinions in the comments below!

What specific aspects of jon Lewis’s coaching experience make him especially well-suited to improve Gloucestershire’s bowling attack?

A New Era for Gloucestershire Cricket

On October 15, 2025, Gloucestershire Cricket Club announced the appointment of Jon Lewis as their new Director of Cricket. This marks a notable shift for the club, aiming to build upon recent successes and propel Gloucestershire towards consistent performance in both domestic and T20 competitions. The appointment follows a thorough search process, identifying Lewis as the ideal candidate to lead the cricketing strategy and progress within the county. This news is significant for fans of County Cricket, the Vitality Blast, and the future of gloucestershire’s performance.

Jon Lewis’s Background and experience

Jon Lewis brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as a highly respected fast bowler for Gloucestershire himself between 1991 and 2004. His playing career spanned over a decade, during which he became a key figure in the Gloucestershire attack.

Beyond his playing days,Lewis has established a strong coaching pedigree:

* england Fast Bowling Coach: He held a prominent role with the England national team,working with some of the world’s leading fast bowlers. This experience is invaluable for developing Gloucestershire’s pace attack.

* Somerset Bowling Coach: Prior to Gloucestershire, Lewis served as the Bowling Coach at Somerset County Cricket Club, contributing to their bowling strategies and player development.

* PCA Representative: Lewis has also been actively involved with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), demonstrating a commitment to player welfare and the broader cricketing community.

His deep understanding of the game, combined with his proven ability to nurture talent, makes him a compelling choice for Director of Cricket. The appointment signals a return to familiar territory for Lewis, and a chance to impart his knowledge to a new generation of Gloucestershire cricketers.

Key Responsibilities and Strategic Vision

As Director of Cricket, Jon Lewis will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the club’s cricketing operations. This includes:

* Player Recruitment: Identifying and securing talented players to strengthen the squad across all formats. This will involve scouting both domestic and international players.

* Academy Development: Enhancing the Gloucestershire Cricket Academy to produce a consistent pipeline of future first-team players. Focus will be on identifying young talent and providing them with the resources and coaching they need to succeed.

* Coaching Structure: Leading and managing the coaching staff, ensuring a cohesive and effective team environment.

* Match Strategy: Developing and implementing strategic plans for all first-team matches, aiming to maximize performance in the County Championship, vitality Blast, and One Day Cup.

* Performance Analysis: Utilizing data analytics to assess player performance and identify areas for enhancement.

Lewis’s initial focus is expected to be on building a strong team culture and fostering a winning mentality within the squad. He has publicly stated his ambition to establish Gloucestershire as a consistent contender in all formats of the game.

Impact on Gloucestershire’s Squad and Future Prospects

The appointment of Jon Lewis is widely seen as a positive step for Gloucestershire Cricket Club. His experience with England’s fast bowlers is particularly exciting for fans, as Gloucestershire has historically produced some excellent pace attacks.

Here’s how lewis’s leadership could impact the squad:

1. Improved Bowling Performance: Expect a renewed focus on fast bowling technique and strategy, potentially unlocking the full potential of Gloucestershire’s existing pace bowlers.
2. Enhanced Player Development: Lewis’s coaching expertise will be crucial in nurturing young talent within the academy and helping them transition to first-team cricket.
3. Strategic Recruitment: A more targeted approach to player recruitment, focusing on individuals who fit the club’s culture and strategic vision.
4. Stronger Team Cohesion: Lewis’s leadership style is expected to foster a more collaborative and supportive team environment.

Gloucestershire Cricket: Recent Performance & Context

Gloucestershire has shown promising signs in recent years, particularly in the Vitality Blast. However, consistency in the County Championship has been a challenge. The club finished mid-table in the 2024 County Championship and reached the quarter-finals of the Vitality Blast.

The appointment of Lewis is seen as a move to address these inconsistencies and build a more sustainable path to success. The club’s ambition is to compete regularly for silverware and establish itself as a leading force in county cricket. The current landscape of County cricket is highly competitive, with several counties investing heavily in player recruitment and coaching resources. Lewis will need to navigate this challenging environment effectively to achieve his goals.

Fan Reaction and Expectations

The announcement of Jon Lewis’s appointment has been met with widespread enthusiasm from Gloucestershire supporters. Manny fans have expressed their excitement on social media,praising Lewis’s playing career and coaching credentials. There is a strong sense of optimism that he can bring a new level of professionalism and strategic thinking to the club.

Expectations are high, with fans hoping to see Gloucestershire challenging for promotion in the County Championship and making a deeper run in the Vitality Blast. The next few seasons will be crucial in determining whether Lewis can deliver on these expectations and establish a lasting legacy at Gloucestershire Cricket club.