Xtra Time Web Desk: England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday appointed South Africa legend Jacques Kallis as batting coaching consultant for their Test series in Sri Lanka. The 45-year-old Kallis has a wealth of experience, having scored 13,289 Test runs. He averaged 55.37 in his 166 Tests. Only Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting have scored more runs than the former Proteas all-rounder.
Kallis will join England head coach Chris Silverwood’s coaching team, taking over the role occupied by Marcus Trescothick for the abandoned trip to South Africa, although there is no agreement yet in place for the forthcoming tour of India.
Silverwood and assistant Paul Collingwood have also recruited James Foster, formerly of Essex and England, as wicketkeeping coaching consultant in the wake of Bruce French’s retirement, and Carl Hopkinson as fielding coach.
Kallis took on a similar role with South Africa during their 2019-20 season and was in the Proteas dressing room as they were beaten 3-1 by Joe Root’s side at the start of the year.