MARK Thorburn has extended his contract with Gloucestershire and taken over full-time as high performance analyst and bowling coach.

His new role will help compensate for the loss of former bowling coach Stuart Barnes to Surrey last year and spin bowling coach Richard Dawson, who recently left to join Yorkshire.

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: " We are delighted that Mark has joined us on a full-time basis and has taken up the position as bowling coach to go with the analyst post he already holds.

“Mark’s passion has always been in the bowling department and the feedback we received from his Level 4 coaching course was very impressive.

“Over the winter Mark has worked with our bowlers and I have been thrilled with their obvious improvement and the manner in which Mark has gone about his work."