Former Gloucestershire batsman Alex Gidman has been appointed Worcestershire’s new first-team coach.

Gidman’s appointment is part of a restructuring at the club, with Kevin Sharp moving from his role as head coach to head of player and coaches development.

The move marks a quick promotion for Gidman, after he joined the county in March as Second XI coach. During the summer, Gidman also provided assistance to the first team, working alongside bowling coach Alan Richardson to help lead Worcestershire Rapids to victory in the T20 Blast.

“I’m extremely grateful the club see the potential in me as a first team coach and have given me this opportunity,” said Gidman. “I am very excited and want to do my absolute best to ensure that decision is repaid with results.”

Sharp expressed that his own role will now change to a more supervisory position.

“My role will be slightly different now. I will be very much a support and a mentor for Alex and Alan and the rest of the coaching team,” said Sharp.

“My role will be more generic now across the club in supporting and mentoring coaches and players so I will still be very much involved on the coaching side, supporting the first eleven, second eleven, academy and the development groups.”