Leicestershire’s senior coach Tim Boon is expected to be unveiled as the new head of the England Performance Development Programme by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The appointment is to be announced on October 8.
Boon, who worked as a coach and analyst as part of Duncan Fletcher’s backroom staff when England won the Ashes in 2005, tendered his resignation three weeks ago and has now negotiated his release from the final year of his contract with Leicestershire.
Boon, who opened the batting for Leicestershire for 15 years, previously worked as England Under-17 and Under-19 coach but rejoined his former county early in 2006 as replacement for James Whitaker.
He has played a significant role in the development of an outstanding crop of youngsters including batsman James Taylor and seamer Nathan Buck but got embroiled in club politics in the second half of the season.
Boon and Leicestershire captain Matthew Hoggard sent a letter to the board in August claiming to represent the views of a majority of players and coach, administrative and groundstaff in calling for the removal of Neil Davidson as chairman.
Davidson described Boon’s position as “unsustainable” when the letter was submitted to the board.
When Davidson resigned as chairman on October 5, he said that Hoggard’s ” irresponsible behaviour has led to the chaos which has engulfed the club ever since”.
Boon, who will be based in Loughborough, will be responsible for improving the fortunes of the England Under-19 side in his new role.
Meanwhile, former Leicestershire batsman Paul Haywood has returned to the county’s board having resigned last month. A Leicestershire statement said that Haywood had offered his resignation but it was not formally accepted.
“Paul’s cricket experience is invaluable to the board and I am delighted that he will be able to work closely with club captain Matthew Hoggard,” said acting chief executive Mike Siddall.