DIRECTOR of cricket John Bracewell admits that Stuart Barnes will be a big loss for Gloucestershire.

Assistant coach Barnes left the club to become Surrey’s new fast bowling coach, as revealed on this website last week.

Bracewell said: "It is with regret and sadness that we see the departure of Stuart. “He has been at the club for a long time, serving as a player then community coach and latterly as my assistant and bowling coach.

"It is as a bowling coach that Stuart has really shone, guiding many of our young pace bowlers through to becoming formidable first class cricketers. “This has undoubtedly been our strength in the last seven to eight years. Stuart will be missed by both players and staff."

After serving as a player between 1989 and 1991, Barnes re-joined Gloucestershire in 1997, firstly as a recreational cricket coach then as Academy director/Second XI coach. He has been an invaluable member of staff ever since.

He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed working as fast bowling coach for Gloucestershire in the last few years.

"The flexibility shown by the club, on a regular basis, and most recently allowing me to gain experience coaching in Bangladesh, as well as with England Lions, will prove invaluable as I look to continue moving forwards with my career.

"I would like to thank John Bracewell, in particular, for supporting my work requests outside of the club and also the entire coaching staff for their support. “I have really enjoyed coming into work every day and finding ways to make a positive difference to the coaching team and the playing staff.

"I would like to wish the club all the best during this time of change and wish them well for the future.

"I am very much looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead, working with Surrey.”