Jon Lewis Returns to Gloucestershire as Director of Cricket
Jon Lewis has returned to his home county of Gloucestershire to take up the newly created role of Director of Cricket, overseeing both the men’s and women’s programmes. The appointment comes after his recent departure as head coach of the England women’s team, a role he held since late 2022.
A former England international and long-time Gloucestershire player, Lewis brings a wealth of coaching experience from his time with the ECB, including roles as Under-19s head coach and fast-bowling coach in the men’s setup. He also spent three years coaching in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) with UP Warriorz.
Speaking to the club's YouTube channel, Lewis said: “It feels like I’m coming home. Gloucestershire gave me so many opportunities as a player, and now I want to create those same opportunities for others.”
His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the club. He replaces former performance director Steve Snell, whose position was left vacant after his mid-2023 departure. Lewis will work closely with Gloucestershire men’s head coach Mark Alleyne, who led the team to T20 Blast success in 2023 but endured a disappointing 2024 campaign.
A key part of Lewis's vision is the development of local talent. “We haven’t had a really strong production line of cricketers coming from Gloucestershire and Bristol,” he said. “That’s a high priority—to put processes in place that help produce homegrown players.”
Gloucestershire’s men’s team faces a significant rebuilding phase, having lost several seamers ahead of the 2026 season. Archie Bailey (Durham), Ajeet Singh Dale (Lancashire), Zaman Akhter (Essex), Josh Shaw (Somerset), Dom Goodman, and Tom Price (both Sussex) have all departed. In response, the club has secured Craig Miles from Warwickshire and Will Williams from Lancashire, with more signings likely.
“We need to work out how to replace the players we’ve lost, whether that’s internally, externally, or overseas,” Lewis added. “We’ve got a lot of thinking to do to ensure we’re competitive in all formats next year.”
On the women’s side, Lewis will also guide Gloucestershire’s push for professionalisation. Currently competing in Tier Two of the ECB's new domestic structure, the club is aiming for long-term promotion and a stronger pathway for aspiring female cricketers.
“That’d be a big goal for us—to become a club where players can grow, learn, and enjoy their cricket,” Lewis said.
Darren Stevens Returns to Kent as Bowling Consultant
In other county news, Kent have confirmed that club legend Darren Stevens will return in 2026 as a bowling consultant under head coach Adam Hollioake. The 49-year-old fan favourite left Kent in 2022 and has since held coaching roles with South East Stars and Essex Women.
Stevens will work alongside newly appointed bowling coach Sam Faulkner, who replaces Robbie Joseph, and batting coach Jaahid Ali, a former Pakistan A player, who steps in for Toby Radford.
Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, welcomed the appointments: “Stevo’s return will undoubtedly be popular with our supporters. His experience and coaching skills will be invaluable as we enter a new era under Adam Hollioake.”
Cook also praised Faulkner and Ali for their work in Kent’s Talent Pathway: “With Sam and Jaahid, we’ll have clear guidance for our young players, ensuring smoother transitions into higher levels of cricket.”