Taylor in hope of second coming

Gloucestershire's Friends Provident Trophy campaign went up in smoke against Yorkshire

Buy this photo

John Bracewell’s impending return to Bristol is a much-needed shot in the arm for Gloucestershire, admits batsman Chris Taylor.

Taylor, who spent four years working with the New Zealander in his hugely successful first spell as coach, believes that Bracewell will instill a renewed drive in the players.

Gloucestershire endured a miserable 2008, losing head coach Mark Alleyne before the season began and landing the uncoveted wooden spoon for finishing bottom of the LV County Championship.

“He’s coming to us at a good time, a time to start afresh,” Taylor told ecb.co.uk. “He’ll push the playing squad hard.

“To be honest, it’s what we need right now. We need someone who can change things and lead us in the right way.”

Taylor was one of the few success stories in 2008, passing 1,000 championship runs for only the second time, and being a constant threat in the field.

“I got 1,000 championship runs so on a personal note I did reasonably well.

“Yet we had a tough year as a team. We played well in patches but not enough in four-day cricket to succeed.”

Bracewell’s belief in teamwork and strong all-round cricketers helped foster a winning environment at the County Ground.

Gloucestershire won seven one-day trophies between 1998 and 2003, including a double in 1999 and a treble in 2000.

Bracewell, a former New Zealand off-spinner who played 41 Tests and 53 one-day internationals, departed to coach the Black Caps, a post he remains in to this day.

How times change: Mark Alleyne with the treble - the 2000 National League, B&H Cup and NatWest trophies

Buy this photo

New Zealand beat Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy for the first time under his guidance.

Taylor was part of Bracewell's squad from 2000, and broke into the team on account of his streetwise batting and spectacular fielding.

Following Alleyne’s absence, Taylor was asked to help team mentor Jack Russell by taking over the role of fielding coach.

This led to an invitation as a specialist fielding coach for the England Performance Programme, which tours India this month.

Taylor hopes Bracewell will allow him to keep his side path open as he also celebrates his benefit year at the county.

“I briefly chatted to John two or three months ago,” Taylor said. “He was aware of what I’ve been doing at Gloucestershire, and I think he’s keen for me to do it again next year.

“In what capacity, I don’t know, because he’ll be head coach and running things. But hopefully I’ll get the chance to finish the work I started.

“I see the benefit system as a real privilege and it’s an honour, almost passed down, appreciating the role you’ve played over the years.”

The 32-year-old is an obvious candidate to take over as captain after Jon Lewis resigned the post at the end of the season. There are other options, in the form of senior batsmen Alex Gidman and Craig Spearman.

Taylor spent two seasons at the helm in 2004 and 2005, a spell which culminated in Gloucestershire’s relegation from Division One of the championship.

“I’m keeping my distance at the moment, concentrating on the EPP and my benefit year,” Taylor said.

“No-one’s spoken about it to me, but if I am asked to do it, I’ll obviously think about it then.”