Yorkshire add Kabir Ali, Tom Smith and Alastair Maiden to coaching staff
Raft of appointments continues revamp of backroom operation at Headingley
ESPNcricinfo staff
14-Feb-2022
Former Lancashire allrounder Tom Smith has joined the Headingley staff • Getty Images
The new arrivals come as part of a complete overhaul at Headingley, following the club's decision to dismiss a number of long-serving staff members in the wake of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal. Ottis Gibson was named as Yorkshire's new head coach last month, following the return of Darren Gough as interim director of cricket.
Ali, the former England fast bowler, joins as Yorkshire as an assistant coach with responsibility for bowling, having most recently worked as a bowling consultant at Warwickshire.
Both Smith, who will take charge of the 2nd XI, and Maiden, who fills the role of assistant coach and batting specialist, have moved from Leicestershire after a compensation package was agreed between the two clubs.
"Ottis and I are absolutely delighted to announce these exciting coaching appointments," Gough said. "Kabir is a fantastic addition to the coaching team and was the outstanding candidate to lead on bowling. Both Ottis and I were particularly taken by Kabir's energy and passion for the game and, following a brilliant playing career, he already has a huge amount of experience for a young coach.
"Alastair is a vastly experienced coach having worked with Durham, England's Women and Leicestershire. Alastair has great experience leading on batting and will strike a wonderful balance with Kabir.
"Tom is another coach who had a brilliant playing career, but one that was unfortunately cut short. Since retiring from the game, Tom has become an outstanding coach in his own right and will impart great technical knowledge and experience on our young players.
"It's great to see how many talented coaches are keen to join what we are doing here at Yorkshire and I'm thrilled with the calibre of talent we are assembling as we shape our backroom staff ahead of the new season."
Ali played one Test and 14 ODIs for England, as well as appearing for Worcestershire, Hampshire and Lancashire during a 15-year playing career. He has since worked in various T20 franchise competitions around the world.
Smith, the former Lancashire allrounder who was forced into retirement by a back injury at 31, had been at Grace Road since 2018, initially as 2nd XI coach and then as first-team assistant and bowling coach. Maiden took over as Leicestershire's head of academy in 2020 after four years with England Women.
Last week, the ECB confirmed the return of international cricket to Headingley this summer, subject to the introduction of a number of proposed governance reforms.