Former Norfolk cricketer Tim Boon was today confirmed as Leicestershire's new head coach after being persuaded to leave England's challenge to retain the Ashes and win the World Cup.
Former Norfolk cricketer Tim Boon was today confirmed as Leicestershire's new head coach after being persuaded to leave England's challenge to retain the Ashes and win the World Cup.
The 44-year-old Yorkshireman, who spent 15 years as a player at Grace Road, has left his job as assistant coach with England to take up a three-year contract with the Foxes.
He begins his role in February and will therefore miss England's attempt to retain the Ashes Down Under next winter and the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean early next year.
"My original intention had been to stay with England for a further 12 months until after the 2007 World Cup," explained Boon, who played Minor Counties cricket for Norfolk from 1996 to 1999, when he was appointed England Under-19 team coach.
"I discussed my future plans with (England head coach) Duncan Fletcher and John Carr (the England and Wales Cricket Board's director of cricket operations) in 2004 at which time I gained their agreement to my future plans where I would leave the team to pursue a head coach role.
"The situation at Leicestershire provides me with the opportunities I am looking for to work alongside the management team and players to bring sustained success to the club."
Boon helped Fletcher with his preparation for last summer's Ashes success and his role and was so successful in his role as analyst he was invited to perform the same role for the World XI during last October's Super Series in Australia.
Leicestershire chairman Neil Davidson said: "Tim has outstanding coaching credentials having worked with some of the biggest names in the game and picked up a lot from working alongside Duncan Fletcher.
"While he has enjoyed all that international success he has also retained a strong link and a great affection for the county where he played his entire first-class cricket career so we're delighted to welcome him back.'
England coach Fletcher added: "Tim has been a very valuable member of the England management team both as assistant coach and also in the analyst role, logging, analysing and presenting footage of the opposition and the England team.
"I will be sorry to see him leave the England camp but I am pleased he has landed an exciting coaching opportunity with Leicestershire.'
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