Sunday 19 February 2012

Gooch handed role as England batting coach

London, (AFP): Graham Gooch has been appointed England batting coach on a full-time basis, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Saturday.

Gooch, 58, had been a consultant batting coach with England since November 2009 and will start the permanent role on March 5 when his team begin their preparations for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

"I am delighted to be taking on the role of England batting coach on a full-time basis," former England batsman Gooch said.

"I will now have the opportunity to spend a lot more time with the players and other coaches both in the build-up to series and during the series themselves. I firmly believe that with the talent we have at the moment within the batting unit and those pressing for places, we can continue to develop and improve as a side, which is a very exciting prospect."

Graham Thorpe will continue in his role as ECB lead batting coach, which involves working with batsmen on the England performance programme and those selected for England Lions, and will aid Gooch in aiming to ensure a smooth transition for batsmen between the England performance programme and the senior side.

England team director Andy Flower said: "Graham has an excellent relationship with our batsmen and is already an important part of our management team so I am very pleased that he will be joining us on a full-time basis."

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