ECB announces coaching opportunity for 2018 North-South series

26 April 2017 10:39

The most successful homegrown coach in this season's Royal London One-Day Cup will be invited to take part in the North-South series next winter, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced.

The three-match series was introduced earlier this year, taking place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and was convincingly won 3-0 by the South.

The 13-man squads automatically included the top four England-qualified players from both the North and South groups in the Professional Cricketers' Association's most valuable player rankings.

And now a member of the coaching staff of the winning side at the Royal London One-Day Cup final on July 1 will be guaranteed a chance to be involved in the 2018 edition.

England cricket director Andrew Strauss said: "One of our aims in introducing the North-South Series, with a primary focus on the 2019 World Cup, was to recognise the link between the England ODI team and the Royal London One-Day Cup as our domestic 50-over competition.

"Making four places in each of the North and South teams available to the best performers in the North and South groups through the PCA MVP Rankings added an extra incentive to county players in the Royal London last season.

"Of the players who qualified, Tim Bresnan set a great example even in a beaten North team - and Liam Dawson, who had earned one of the automatic places in the South squad, was named man of the series.

"After discussions with the England selectors, and the coaches who were involved in this year's series, we were keen to continue on the same basis, with four places in each 13-man squad earned through Royal London performances, leaving the remaining nine to the selectors.

"But we also thought there was an opportunity to encourage and recognise the coaches in the domestic game. So the winners of the RLODC final at Lord's on July 1 will be invited to nominate a coach to join the staff of either the North or South team in 2018."

Source: PA