Boon joins England Development programme

The former Leicestershire coach Tim Boon has been named by the ECB as the new head coach of the England Development Programme. His primary focus will be on the development of successful England Under-19 teams and ensuring talented young players make effective transitions into the first-class game.

Boon, 48, quit Grace Road in acrimonious circumstances in the summer, following a five-year tenure, after he and the county captain, Matthew Hoggard, led a players' revolt against the then-chairman, Neil Davidson, who also resigned this week. Previous to that job, he had held roles with the ECB as an assistant coach and England Team Analyst during the 2005 Ashes, and has also worked as coach to the England Under-19 and Under-17 sides.

"I am delighted to have been appointed England Development Programme Head Coach, a role that will enable me to work with the best young cricketers in the country," said Boon, who scored more than 11,000 runs for Leicestershire in his own 15-year playing career. He will be based at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.

"Having gained valuable experience in my roles with England Under-19s, the senior England Team, and Leicestershire, my aim is to form close relationships and work in partnership with all counties to ensure players move seamlessly through Under 19 cricket into the first-class game before re-entering Team England for the Lions and onto the full England senior team. I look forward to working in a world-class environment with highly motivated coaches and to the many challenges that lie ahead."

Hugh Morris, Managing Director of England Cricket, said: "We are pleased to appoint Tim Boon as England Development Programme Head Coach. Tim has a wealth of experience working with talented young players both from his time with England and more recently at Leicestershire and this knowledge will be crucial as we look to develop players who have the potential to not only thrive on the international stage at Under 19 level but also in time go on to play a key part in the success of the senior England team."

Mike Siddall, Acting chief executive at Leicestershire CCC, said: "On behalf of everybody connected with the club I would like to record our thanks to Tim for his major contribution to Leicestershire over the last five seasons, in particular the implementation of the club's recruitment & selection policy and the development of local young cricketers. We wish him every success in the future."