South African legend Jacques Kallis on Monday, appointed as the batting consultant of the England team by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for next month’s two-match Test tour of Sri Lanka.
England and hosts Sri Lanka will play 2 Tests, with the first one being scheduled from January 14-18. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement that the team will depart for Sri Lanka on January 2.
“Seven coaches will join the squad for the two-Test tour, with the tour party departing on 2 January. Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis joins the England setup for the first time as batting coaching consultant,” the statement released by ECB read.
Kallis has scored 13,298 runs from 166 Tests at an average of 55.37 for South Africa, in addition to taking 292 wickets. The 45-year-old also worked in a similar role with the Proteas last year in the Test series against England. At this stage he has not been confirmed for subsequent tour of India in February.
England, on December 11 announced a 16-member squad and 7 travelling reserves for their upcoming 2-match Test tour of Sri Lanka. The 22 players will be accompanied by the coaching staff, whose appointments were confirmed on Monday, who will fly off to Lanka on January 2. The touring part will travel to Sri Lanka on January 27.
Coaching Appointments Made by the ECB:
Chris Silverwood (head coach), Paul Collingwood (Assistant Coach), James Foster (Wicketkeeper Coaching Consultant), Carl Hopkinson (Fielding Coach), Jacques Kallis
(Batting Coaching Consultant), Jon Lewis (Bowling Coach), Jeetan Patel (Spin Bowling Coaching Consultant).
England Squad For Sri Lanka Tests:
Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.