Thorpe named ECB lead batting coach

Graham Thorpe, the former England batsman, has been appointed the ECB national lead batting coach, replacing Dene Hills who will join Australia later this year after two years in the role.

Thorpe, 41, is one of England's finest batsmen of recent times, scoring 6744 runs at 44.66 in 100 Tests during a 12-year career. When his Test career ended shortly before the 2005 Ashes, Thorpe moved to Sydney to work with New South Wales as a batting coach. He became their assistant coach in 2007-08 before returning to his former club, Surrey, in 2009 to take up the position of batting coach.

In his new role as lead batting coach, Thorpe will work predominantly with the younger players and his first task will be with the England Performance Programme squad during their five-week training camp in Australia. Based at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough, Thorpe will be responsible for coaching players selected for England Lions and England Performance Programme squads, as well as overseeing the progress of batsmen within the England Development programme.

David Parsons, ECB performance director, said Thorpe's vast international experience will be crucial to the development of England's young batting talent. "Graham has a wealth of experience both as a player and a coach and he will play a vital role working with some of the very best young batsmen in the game and ensuring they are able to excel when they make the step up to the full international side.

"He was very impressive this winter when he worked with England Lions in the UAE earlier this year and both the players and management team held him in extremely high regard. We are very pleased to be welcoming him on a full-time basis."

Thorpe said he was sad to be leaving Surrey but the challenge of preparing England's future international batsmen was too exciting to resist. "I am very grateful to Surrey for giving me the chance to develop my coaching career and wish Chris Adams and all the players the best of luck next season," he said. "It will be hard to leave Surrey but this is a fantastic opportunity for me to help prepare the next generation of England batsmen by working with EPP, England Lions and England age group squads and I am really looking forward to the challenge."