Appointment of Ramprakash by England expected soon

The terms of Mark Ramprakash’s appointment as England batting coach have not yet been finalised, but confirmation is expected this week.
Mark Ramprakash is set to become England's new batting coach.Mark Ramprakash is set to become England's new batting coach.
Mark Ramprakash is set to become England's new batting coach.

The 45-year-old has been widely reported to be Graham Gooch’s successor in the role and, while it is understood both Ramprakash and the England and Wales Cricket Board are in agreement, the finer details are still being worked through.

The former Middlesex and Surrey batsman emerged as the standout candidate when it became clear Graham Thorpe, who is highly valued at the ECB and previously worked as limited-overs batting coach under Ashley Giles, was reluctant to commit to England’s tour commitments.

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He is currently working with squad members at the National Performance Centre Loughborough and had already accepted an offer to travel with the side for this month’s one-day international tour of Sri Lanka.

As a player Ramprakash is renowned as one of the very best to have played domestic cricket in England, notching up 114 first-class centuries. But his international performances never carried the same authority, with just two centuries in his 52 Tests.

But he has since acquired a strong reputation as a coach and his experiences will bring a valuable insight of playing international cricket to a set-up that currently lacks it in head coach Peter Moores, deputy Paul Farbrace and bowling coach David Saker.

Paul Collingwood, meanwhile, will be plotting England’s downfall at next year’s World Cup after agreeing a return to Scotland’s coaching staff.

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The Durham captain, who is England’s most capped one-day player and World Twenty20 winning captain, had previously worked with Scotland as joint interim head coach when they booked their place at the tournament at the start of the year.

He was subsequently drafted in by England’s then limited-overs coach Ashley Giles to work with the Three Lions at the World T20 in Bangladesh but his role was discontinued when Peter Moores returned as head coach.

Had Giles got the nod, it is likely that Collingwood, 38, would have gone to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in the England camp.

But instead he will be trying to help the Saltires pull off a huge upset when the sides meet in Christchurch on February 23.

Collingwood said: “I’m looking forward to helping get the team fully prepared for these incredibly important matches.”

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