May 3rd: Today’s Feature

May

Mark Wayne Alleyne MBE, born on May 23, 1968, is an English cricket coach and former first-class cricketer. He played ten One Day International matches for England from 1998/99 to 2000/01. Currently, he serves as the head coach at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Known as an all-rounder, Alleyne typically batted in the middle order and bowled at a medium pace. Additionally, he has experience as a wicketkeeper for both England and his county team, Gloucestershire. His versatility on the field has been a valuable asset throughout his career.

Mark Alleyne holds the distinction of being the first Black British and the third Black individual overall to coach an English first-class cricket team. He follows in the footsteps of Derief Taylor and John Shepherd, making a significant impact in the world of cricket coaching.

Early Life

Alleyne, who hails from England, has Bajan roots. At the tender age of 4, he relocated to Barbados alongside his parents, where he honed his skills in the game of cricket. After spending 11 years on the island, he made his way back to England to pursue his academic endeavours. Interestingly, his son Max Alleyne has made a name for himself as a professional footballer, representing the renowned Premier League team, Manchester City.

In recognition of his remarkable contributions to cricket, Alleyne was bestowed with the prestigious MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the Queen's New Year Honours list for 2004. This esteemed accolade serves as a testament to his dedication and service to the sport. Furthermore, as of 2009, Alleyne assumed the role of Chairman for the Professional Cricket Coaches Association, showcasing his commitment to the development and advancement of cricket coaching.

Alleyne's journey is a testament to his passion and commitment to cricket. From his early beginnings in England to his formative years in Barbados, he embraced the sport and nurtured his skills. Returning to England to pursue his education, he continued to make significant contributions to the cricketing world. His son, Max Alleyne, has followed in his footsteps, carving out a successful career as a professional footballer. Alleyne's recognition as an MBE and his role as Chairman of the Professional Cricket Coaches Association further solidify his status as a respected figure in the cricketing community.

Domestic Career

Alleyne made a strong impression early on for Gloucestershire, hitting a century at 18 and a double-hundred at 22, becoming the youngest player to do so for the county in both instances.

He took over as captain from Jack Russell in 1997, and under his leadership, Gloucestershire secured two one-day cups and the National League title in 2000. Although they narrowly missed out on promotion in the County Championship, Alleyne's success earned him the prestigious Wisden Cricketer of the Year award.

Over the next few years, Alleyne gained recognition as a skilled tactician in one-day county cricket, guiding Gloucestershire to victory in 4 one day knockout cups within a span of 6 years.

Coaching Career

Mark Alleyne's coaching career has been marked by various notable positions and achievements. Following coach John Bracewell's departure from Gloucestershire Cricket Club to join the New Zealand Test Team, Alleyne took over as Head Coach from 2004 to 2007. During his tenure, Gloucestershire came close to clinching the Twenty20 title in 2007, narrowly missing out on the victory. However, in February 2008, Alleyne and the club mutually agreed to part ways, with nine months remaining on his contract.

After leaving Gloucestershire, Alleyne embarked on a new coaching role at the National Performance Centre at Loughborough. Here, he had the opportunity to coach the England Under-15s, contributing to the development of young talents in the country. His dedication and expertise in coaching did not go unnoticed, as in February 2009, he was appointed as the new MCC head coach. This prestigious position saw him succeed Clive Radley, who had retired after an impressive 48-year association with Lord's.

Continuing his coaching journey, Alleyne later became a cricket professional at Marlborough College, a renowned public school located in Wiltshire. His experience and knowledge were highly valued, and in 2022, he was entrusted with coaching the England Men's T20I team during their tour of the Caribbean. The following year, in 2023, Alleyne took on the role of white-ball coach for Glamorgan and Welsh Fire, further showcasing his versatility and adaptability in coaching different formats of the game.

In a surprising turn of events, in February 2024, Gloucestershire Cricket Club announced Alleyne's return as head coach. This decision demonstrated the club's confidence in his abilities and the positive impact he had previously made during his earlier stint. With his wealth of experience and proven track record, Alleyne is poised to lead Gloucestershire to new heights in the coming seasons.