London, Dec 21 (UNI) Former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been roped in as England's batting consultant for their two-Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year.
Kallis, 45, worked in a similar role with the Proteas last year in the Test series against England before South Africa's administrative shake-up saw Neil Mckenzie appointed to the role of High-Performance Batting Consultant.
Kallis is understood to have engaged in detailed talks with the ECB, who have been on the lookout to fill coaching vacancies for their batting, pace and spin-bowling roles. The board have decided to embark on a rotation policy for players and support staff to minimise the stress of being confined in bio-secure bubbles during England's winter tours.
Graham Thorpe, assistant to Chris Silverwood, will not travel to Sri Lanka but is expected to join for the marquee India tour that begins on February 4. It is uncertain if Kallis's appointment will extend to that series. The South African boasts an impeccable batting record in Tests in the sub-continent, averaging 55.62 with 8 of his 45 hundreds coming here.
Other support staff members accompanying the England side include Jon Lewis (fast bowling), Jeetan Patel (spin) and James Foster (wicketkeeping).
England are scheduled to leave for Sri Lanka on January 2 before the first of two Galle Tests begins on January 14. Concerns around the feasibility of the tour have surfaced more recently following news of a new strain of the Coronavirus in the UK leading to some countries sealing their borders from the country.
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