Worcestershire still keen on director of cricket appointment, with county happy "to take their time"

NICK FRIEND: Worcestershire announced a strategic shake-up in July but, after replacing Alex Gidman with Alan Richardson, still have a vacancy for a director of cricket

The appointment of a director of cricket remains on Worcestershire's radar, says Alan Richardson.

The county announced plans in July to change its cricket management structure, with the intention of hiring a standalone director of cricket for the first time.

Until now, Paul Pridgeon – a club legend back to his playing days – had effectively served in the role on a voluntary, de facto basis as chair of the county's cricket steering group.

The New Road county have never had a specific director of cricket, with Steve Rhodes carrying the title but also acting as head coach before his departure in 2017.

But Richardson, Worcestershire's new head coach after the departure of Alex Gidman earlier this winter, told The Cricketer that hiring a figure to oversee the club's cricket strategy "is still the hope".

^{Alan Richardson is Worcestershire's new head coach [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

"We're in a slightly unique situation at the club, and you would say that we're probably a lean structure," he said. "[Paul] does an amazing job looking after some of the things that a director of cricket would do.

"I know that's been in the pipeline for quite a while for a director of cricket, and quite rightly the club needs to take their time to make sure they get the right person to help the club move forward.

"It would be amazing to have someone there to check and challenge us as a coaching staff, give us support and give the club some real direction as well. It's an integral part, I think, but something that understandably can take time."

The Cricketer understands that Ashley Giles turned down the role earlier this winter.

After the exit of Gidman, who has been helping out with England Women's pre-World Cup training camp in recent days, Richardson – his assistant and bowling coach – was sounded out as his replacement, which he has since taken on. Kadeer Ali, the county's former second-team coach, is his assistant.

^{Richardson heaped praise on former Worcestershire allrounder Moeen Ali, describing his departure as a "real shame" [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

Speaking to The Cricketer as part of a wider interview about taking on his first head coach position, Richardson also heaped praise on Moeen Ali following the long-time Worcestershire allrounder's return to Warwickshire, where he began his professional career.

"It's a real shame," he said, "but also really understandable. At Worcestershire, we're really appreciative that he was with us for 15 years. Warwickshire's loss was hugely Worcestershire's gain over a long period of time. The legacy that he will leave at the club is amazing. Mo will long live on.

"The way that he was with the guys was amazing. For those players who were here in 2018 and 2019, where I think we played some outstanding white-ball cricket, he led the majority of that. But I think – in my head – it was almost inevitable that he was going to 'home', as he calls it.

"Hopefully, we'll remain close friends. Unfortunately, there was an inevitability about it. There wasn't a surprise that he'd end up back at Warwickshire: they're very lucky to have him, but I always consider that we've been very lucky to have him for the 15 years that we had him. We're very proud that we helped him in part of his journey."