“It gives me great pleasure to be given the opportunity of developing and maximising the success of the existing bowling attack and the next crop of exciting young bowlers at Sussex”
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After announcing his retirement, former England pace bowler Jon Lewis has been appointed as Sussex’s bowling coach.
Lewis decided to hang up his boots after sustaining an injury that led to him sitting on the sidelines for the second half of last year’s county season.
During his first-class career, which began with Gloucestershire back in 1995, Lewis picked up 849 wickets at a brilliant average of 26.26.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people that have been a part of my life as a professional cricketer,” Lewis said. “Especially those at Gloucestershire and England.
“I feel very privileged that I was able to have fulfilled a career as a professional player for over twenty years and able to gain my coaching qualifications and experience alongside.
“I am now very excited to make the seamless transition from a player into a coach, at a very welcoming and successful club; Sussex County Cricket Club.
“I am looking forward to becoming part of and complimenting the already successful existing coaching team. It gives me great pleasure to be given the opportunity of developing and maximising the success of the existing bowling attack and the next crop of exciting young bowlers at Sussex. I will be grabbing the challenge wholeheartedly.”
Sussex’s Professional Cricket Manager Mark Robinson added: “Firstly we would like to congratulate Jon on what has been a fantastic playing career. He has been consistently one of the stand-out bowlers in the County Championship and played a leading role in winning many a one-day trophy with Gloucestershire. He represented his country with distinction and was a fierce competitor that you had to respect.
“When Jon was with us last year it became very apparent he was born to coach and instantly gained the respect of all the players within the squad.
“Jon’s role is to oversee and develop the current bowlers that we have and also nurture the younger bowlers in our youth system so in time we will constantly have a depth of seamers at the disposal of the first team.”