PEARS director of cricket Steve Rhodes is relishing the chance to spearhead the Young Lions’ 2018 ICC U19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
Rhodes, who has previously worked with the England Lions at their training camp in Dubai, has been seconded to take the reins from Andy Hurry on an interim basis, following his appointment as director of cricket at Somerset.
He will join the Young Lions at their warm weather training camp at the Desert Springs Resort in southern Spain next month, where he will work alongside Hurry before taking charge of the Lions’ Tri-Series in South Africa at the end of November and then the World Cup in the New Year.
Adding to his experience at international level, Rhodes has also spent time with the senior England set-up over the last two summers.
“It’s an honour to be asked to work for your country at any level, so I’m really excited about this chance to work with the Young Lions this winter,” said Rhodes.
“I really enjoyed my time with the Lions in Dubai and learned a lot from working in an international environment, which I’ve been able to take back to Worcester for the last couple of seasons.
“My commitments with the Young Lions ends in early February, meaning I’ll be back in plenty of time to prepare for the 2018 season,” he added.
PEARS assistant coach/bowling coach Matt Mason has also been called up by England to help coach the next generation of quick bowlers in the ECB Pace Programme.
Mason will link up with ECB lead fast bowling coach Kevin Shine at various camps this winter, including two weeks in Potchefstroom, South Africa, and a fortnight in Desert Springs, Spain.
Worcestershire’s Josh Tongue and George Scrimshaw are among the bowlers selected to take part in the Pace Programme.