GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Cricket Club Chief Executive Tom Richardson is optimistic for the future after finally getting his man.

Richardson had made no secret of the fact that Gloucestershire were trying to lure back John Bracewell as Director of Cricket since the departure of Mark Alleyne in February.

Bracewell has just finished touring England as head coach of the New Zealand team but once that was over negotiations were able to get underway, and Richardson was delighted to welcome the successful coach back.

And he shares the Kiwi's long-term vision of winning the county championship.

"He is going to add huge value and we've got a great opportunity here," Richardson said.

"First and foremost we want a successful team, we want them to compete and win the County Championship, that is our goal.

"Obviously we want to win the one-day competitions as well, retain our better players, recruit new ones and develop our academy to make this a really good place for young cricketers."

Bracewell, 50 will also look after the academy as part of his new role.

His arrival will also take a lot of weight off the shoulders of captain Jon Lewis, who has been in charge of the cricket side of things this season.

Richardson added: "Jon (Lewis) has taken on a lot of responsibility. In the wider view it's been very good and will improve him but it's a lot for one person to take on, and it's brilliant having Jack Russell around."