Photo Credit: England and Wales Cricket Board
ECB have today announced a number of new appointments in the England men’s pathway.
In one of three elite coaching appointments, Former England and Somerset batter Marcus Trescothick has been confirmed as Elite Batting Coach. Trescothick has experience working with the group and will take up the new role in the middle of March. He will step down from his role as Assistant Coach at Somerset CCC and ECB would like to place on record their thanks to Somerset for their cooperation during this process.
Current Young Lions Head Coach Jon Lewis has been promoted to the role of Elite Pace Bowling Coach. The former England seamer has held numerous roles within the pathway set up after a successful playing career primarily with Gloucestershire but also including stints at Surrey and Sussex.
In addition, Jeetan Patel has been appointed as permanent Elite Spin Bowling Coach. Patel, the former New Zealand and Warwickshire spinner, joins the group permanently after several short-term spells working with the men’s team.
Talking about the appointments Mo Bobat, ECB Performance Director said: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve been working to grow our pool of players that are ready to play for England. Achieving the type of depth that has enabled us to compete successfully across formats, both home and away. The Elite Coaches will play an important role in enhancing this depth further, helping us to sustain success over time. We want to be renowned and respected for the quality of our coaching.
“Following an extensive recruitment process, I’m really excited about the calibre of the individuals that we’ve appointed into these specialist roles. Marcus, Jon and Jeetan have demonstrated their ability at the highest level and also show huge potential for the future. Working alongside Carl Hopkinson, our current Elite Fielding Coach, we have the makings of a strong specialist coaching team, possessing a diverse range of experience.
“Working in conjunction with counties, they will have responsibility for developing and preparing current and next-in-line England players whilst also adding value to our England and Lions environments. In addition, they will support the development of our best Under 19 players through our Young Lions programme.”
The three roles attracted a high calibre of applicants, and were subject to a rigorous recruitment process. As part of the move, Jon Lewis will vacate his role as Young Lions Head Coach, and this role will be reconfigured into an Elite Pathway Coach role. Given the strength of candidates shortlisted for the three elite roles, the Elite Pathway Coach role has also been filled through this process, with Richard Dawson being appointed.
Dawson takes up the new role in mid-April, having previously been Head Coach at Gloucestershire CCC. ECB would like to thank Gloucestershire for their support in releasing Richard to take up the role.
Speaking about the changes, Mo Bobat added: “Jon has done a fantastic job leading our Young Lions programme and England U19 team over the last couple of years. His change of role has provided the opportunity to look at that position with fresh eyes. Given the strength of applicants that we’ve had through the recruitment process, and the need for us to have an adaptable coaching workforce, I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve been able to appoint Richard Dawson as our Elite Pathway Coach.
“Richard’s coaching pedigree speaks for itself and to have someone of his quality playing a prominent role in the development and preparation of our best young players is a real asset. Richard will lead our Young Lions programme and England U19 team but will also coach across the pathway at both Lions and England level. Richard’s specialist coaching experience with spin bowlers was a further attraction and he will support Jeetan in an area that is a real priority for us.
“With a busy season of cricket fast approaching, I’m grateful to both Somerset and Gloucestershire for releasing Marcus and Richard in a timely manner and I’m looking forward to our new coaching team working together in the build-up to our summer international programme. I’m also appreciative of the support that all counties have provided over the last 16 months, allowing us to engage their coaches whilst our own positions have remained vacant.”
