England Lions finalise coaching team for Tour of India

England Men’s Elite Pace Bowling Coach Neil Killeen is set to lead the England Lions on their upcoming tour of India, beginning later this week. The month-long series will feature three four-day matches against India A in Ahmedabad.

Killeen will head up a coaching team that includes local knowledge and experience, to support the playing group's needs. Notable additions to the coaching staff include India international wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik, who will join the squad for nine days near the start of the tour. Former England internationals Ian Bell and Graeme Swann will also contribute their expertise and understanding of playing in India, working alongside England full-time coaches Richard Dawson and Carl Hopkinson.

England Men’s Performance Director, Mo Bobat, said:

“It’s great to have such a strong coaching group supporting our players for what should be an exciting challenge versus India A. The group has a deep and diverse set of experiences and expertise.

“Neil Killeen did an excellent job leading the Lions in Sri Lanka last year and will assume head coach responsibilities again.

“Similarly, Ian Bell and Graeme Swann have spent time around our Lions environments over the past year and will be well-placed to continue supporting the players, many of whom they already know well. They both bring fantastic experiences to their respective coaching and mentoring roles.

“Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson have extensive pathway experience and bring with them an England senior coaching perspective, and recent experience of Indian conditions.

“And it’s fantastic to have Dinesh Karthik with us for a part of our prep period and leading into the first Test. I’m sure the lads will love spending time with him and benefiting from his experience of what it takes to be successful at Test level in India.”

Ends

Schedule:

12-13 January: England Lions v India A, Narendra Modi Stadium – Ground B, Ahmedabad

17-20 January: England Lions v India A, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

24-27 January: England Lions v India A, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

1-4 February: England Lions v India A, Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

England Lions coaching team:

Neil Killeen – Head Coach

Richard Dawson – Assistant Coach (10th – 19th January)

Carl Hopkinson – Assistant Coach

Ian Bell – Batting Consultant (From 18 January)

Dinesh Karthik – Batting Consultant (10th – 18th January)

Graeme Swann – Mentor

England Lions squad:

Josh Bohannon (Lancashire – captain)

Kasey Aldridge (Somerset)

Brydon Carse (Durham)

Jack Carson (Sussex)

James Coles (Sussex)

Matt Fisher (Yorkshire)

Keaton Jennings (Lancashire)

Tom Lawes (Surrey)

Alex Lees (Durham)

Dan Mousley (Warwickshire)

Callum Parkinson (Durham)

Matt Potts (Durham)

Ollie Price (Gloucestershire)

James Rew (Somerset)

Ollie Robinson (Durham)