Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to work in the Indian Premier League.
Gloucester chief says IPL 'doesn't fit'
Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to work in the Indian Premier League.
The New Zealander, who is commencing his second stint at Bristol after spending the last six years in charge of the Black Caps, has stated his reservations about the 'mercenary' aspect of the IPL and its rival ICL.
And the highly-regarded coach expressed a desire to grow as a team leader and turn around Gloucestershire's fortunes.
"(Coaching a Twenty20 franchise) was certainly an option and an attraction," he said. "Let's just say the option was made available to me.
Solely for money
"And at some stage, I would like to test out the experiment of taking a team, just for that mercenary aspect.
"How does a team that comes together to perform for a tournament solely for money, with no developmental concepts around it at all, how does that work?
"At the moment that doesn't fit in with where I am.
"For me, coaching is about enjoyment. And I enjoy the development part of coaching. It was important to me that my next role was about me becoming a better coach."
Climate change
Bracewell added that Gloucestershire are set to announce their overseas player for 2009 in the coming days although Hamish Marshall's arrival is still in doubt because of his previous involvement in the unsanctioned ICL.
"I get on really well with Hamish and enjoyed having him in the New Zealand side," said Bracewell. "I'm tickled pink to be back with him.
"I liked his manner around the (New Zealand) team. And I thought he was a bloody good cricketer.
"We can't control those things (the ICL issue). I've planned for Hamish to play for us, and that he will be batting at three or four.
"The climate has changed so much in the last year and seems to change daily."
Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire chief executive, believes that Marshall will appear for the county in all forms of cricket.
"Current guidance is that he's available (to play for the county)," he said. "At present, the thinking is that he is available to play in the Twenty20 Cup as well.
"This all has to be agreed, but it is dependent on when they signed their contracts."
