England hires Gooch as full-time batting coach

LONDON (AP)—England has appointed former test captain Graham Gooch as full-time batting coach after two years as a consultant.

The England and Wales Cricket Board says the 58-year-old Gooch will begin March 5 in the buildup for a two-test series in Sri Lanka starting three weeks later.

Gooch will work alongside Graham Thorpe, who will keep his role as ECB lead batting coach.

Team director Andy Flower says “Graham has an excellent relationship with our batsmen and is already an important part of our management team.”

Gooch played 118 tests for England and opened the batting. He had been consultant batting coach since November 2009.