England have made a big change to their bowling staff in preparation for the next Ashes series after the English Cricket Board announced Aussie Troy Cooley has re-joined. Fresh off an embarrassing Ashes tour of Australia where they lost 4-1, England have confirmed changes to their coaching staff going forward.
Cooley famously helped England during their successful Ashes series back in 2005 with the Tasmanian cricket coach having a hand in getting Andrew Flintoff’s side primed for their famous victory on Aussie soil. Cooley has an impressive resume and is a massive appointment for the ECB as men’s elite national pace bowling lead.
England are set to make a big change to their bowling staff with Aussie Troy Cooley joining the team after their brutal Ashes tour. (Images: Getty Images)
The former bowler spent 15 years as a coach with Cricket Australia’s National Performance Program, before a move to India where he looked after fast-bowling for the national academy. Cooley will help development for the England Lions and Young Lions players.
“Troy is one of the very best coaches in the world whose record over more than two decades speaks for itself,” Managing director Rob Key said of the appointment. “He has coached and developed the best pace bowlers in all conditions and his vast experience and knowledge will not only benefit the England Men’s team but also help to nurture the next wave of fast-bowling talent.”
Cooley added he is looking forward to helping England’s next generation. “Joining the ECB is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of England’s pace‑bowling future – bringing together the art of performance and the science of long‑term development,” he said. “England’s pace‑bowling talent and identity are world‑class.”
Troy Cooley (pictured right) has helped some of Australia’s greatest ever bowlers.
(Hamish Blair via Getty Images)England react after brutal Ashes defeat
England entered this year’s Ashes series with plenty of hype around their quicks. Jofra Archer and Mark Wood were expected to bring the speed in Australia to unsettle the batting line-up. While it worked in spells, Wood only featured in Perth before an injury ended his tour.
Archer featured in the first three Test matches with England already losing the series 3-0. He then missed out at the SCG and MCG with Australia emerging 4-1 winners.
Plenty of criticism has been levelled at Ben Stokes, Brendan McCullum and Key since the tour, but this appointment is not a reaction to the defeat. England have been looking to find a full-time fast-bowling coach since Jon Lewis left in 2022.
England managing director of cricket Rob Key (pictured left) and England head coach Brendan McCullum (pictured right) are under pressure after the 4-1 Ashes defeat.
(Robbie Stephenson – PA Images via Getty Images)
James Anderson has helped out as a fast-bowling consultant in that time. Another area England struggled with in Australia was their fielding. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were sensational for Australia taking some screamers throughout the series.
However, England dropped 18 chances across the five Test matches and it cost them plenty of runs. And they have moved to fix this issue having re-hired former Sussex batter Carl Hopkinson to help improve this part of their game.