MX23RW : Friday, March 15 07:04:45

Ramprakash axed as England's batting coach, with Thorpe expected to take over

Ramprakash axed as England's batting coach, with Thorpe expected to take over
© Reuters
Ramprakash had been contracted until the end of the summer.

Mark Ramprakash has lost his job as England's batting coach, with Graham Thorpe expected to take over for this summer's Ashes.

Ramprakash has worked with the national side since 2014, most recently focusing on the Test team while Thorpe has worked regularly in the one-day set-up.

Former Middlesex and Surrey batsman Ramprakash was contracted until the end of the summer but has been ousted ahead of schedule, almost certainly at the instigation of new director of men's cricket, Ashley Giles.

Ramprakash, whose last England assignment was the 2-1 Test series defeat against the West Indies, Tweeted the news on Friday.

"I've just been informed that I will not be involved in the Ashes series," the 49-year-old wrote.

"It's been a huge privilege to support the team over the last 5 years. I'd like to wish all the staff & players the very best of luck for the future."

Thorpe is highly rated by the England and Wales Cricket Board, but was not always keen to accept a full-time touring role. He is now understood to be ready for that commitment.

Graham Thorpe is expected to take over as England's batting coach
Graham Thorpe is expected to take over as England's batting coach (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Ramprakash is the second senior member of the backroom team to leave ahead of head coach Trevor Bayliss' departure at the end of his contract in September.

Bayliss' right-hand man, Paul Farbrace, begins work as Warwickshire's sporting director next week.

Thorpe, alongside bowling coach Chris Silverwood and Paul Collingwood, look set to form the crux of England's backroom team in the future.

An ECB spokesman said: "We will finalise the coaching set-up for the Ashes in the next couple of weeks. Mark Ramprakash will not be part of the coaching set-up for the Ashes."

Nasser Hussain said:
Nasser Hussain said Ramprakash had been 'left with a very vulnerable looking batting line-up'. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

England's inconsistencies with the bat – and the tendency to collapse in dramatic fashion on occasion – have led to scrutiny on Ramprakash's position in the last couple of years.

However, former England captain Nasser Hussain argued that the players must ultimately accept the consequences of their failures.

He said on Sky Sports: "Mark Ramprakash has been left with a very vulnerable looking batting line-up in the Test matches and they have not been overly successful.

"It's been hard work. He has to take some of the responsibility for that, but mainly it's the players who need to take responsibility.

"A different batting coach doesn't make our top three any better overnight, it's the batsmen that need to take responsibility."


Click here for more stories about Mark Ramprakash

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Chris Jordan pictured in September 2018
Read Next:
Chris Jordan: Archer's 'like my little brother', but I want World Cup place too
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account