Marcus Trescothick and Jonathan Trott have been picked to guide England Lions ('A' side) as batting coaches for the white and red-ball legs of the upcoming tour to Australia respectively. The duo transitioned into their current roles after working with the national side throughout the summer and are rated very highly for their knowledge.
Read Also: Marcus Trescothick joins England's coaching set-up for the Ashes series
The rest of the staff appointed by the ECB includes longstanding county coaches Richard Dawson (head coach), Jason Kerr (pace bowling), Carl Hopkinson (fielding) and Bruce French (wicketkeeping).
New performance director Mo Bobat said the tour will not only be an invaluable experience for the players involved but also for the coaches as they get the chance to impress the higher authorities.
"This tour provides us a good opportunity to recognise two coaches who have excelled in their roles in county cricket in Richard and Jason, as well as two high potential newcomers in Jonathan and Marcus," ESPNcricinfo quoted Bobat as saying.
"I'm delighted to have Richard on board as head coach for the Lions' tour of Australia. He's an excellent leader and provides great technical knowledge as a spin-bowling coach."
"Richard, Marcus and Jonathan all have experience of touring Australia with England as players so the advice they can pass on to our players will be invaluable."
Dawson, of course, has been deemed for head coach duties on this tour after he helped Gloucestershire earn promotion from Division 2 of the county championship this year. "I'm excited for this opportunity to coach the England Lions, working alongside some excellent coaches," he said. "It will be a challenging tour and one that the coaches and players will all learn a great deal from."
"Australia is a testing place to tour as an England player, both on and off the field. I look forward to working with some of this country's best young cricketers as they progress on the Performance Pathway."
England has lost 9 of its last 10 Ashes Tests in Australia and so the tour comprising five one-day and three four-day games shall provide a good chance for the players on the fringes to show their mettle in those conditions.
Fixtures:
February 2 - One-day match v Cricket Australia XI (Metricon, Gold Coast)
February 4 - One-day match v Cricket Australia XI (Metricon, Gold Coast)
February 6 - One-day match v Cricket Australia XI (Metricon, Gold Coast)
February 9 - One-day match v New South Wales XI (Drummoyne Oval, Sydney)
February 11 - One-day match v New South Wales XI (Drummoyne Oval, Sydney)
February 15-18 - Four-day match v Cricket Australia XI (Blundstone Arena, Hobart)
February 22-25 - Four-day match v Australia A (MCG, Melbourne, D/N)
March 2-5 - Four-day match v New South Wales XI (North Dalton Park, Wollongong)
