Ian Bell, a former batting stalwart for England, has been added to Sri Lanka’s coaching staff for the Asian team’s impending three-Test trip of England. Throughout the whole series that starts on August 21, the 42-year-old will serve as the team’s batting coach. Bell is anticipated to join the team on August 16, five days earlier to the commencement of the series. 

With nearly 7700 runs at an average just under 50 during his playing days, Bell’s records are among England’s greatest in the longest format. He has played in 118 Tests. This featured 68 scores of fifty or above, 22 of which were centuries. His ability to dole out runs in crucial circumstances during pivotal events such as the Ashes Tests stood out. The Warwickshire player’s appointment is a component of Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) intention to provide the Test team’s batting department with the appropriate training and direction in front of what might be a difficult visit.

“We appointed Ian to bring in a person with local knowledge to help the players with key insights on the conditions there. Ian has a lot of experience playing in England, and we believe his inputs will help our team in this crucial tour,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC.

Bell has had an increasing number of coaching positions recently. He has been a member of the coaching staffs for England’s U19 team, Derbyshire, and Warwickshire. He started working as a consultant for the men’s team of New Zealand last year in advance of the ODI World Cup in India. Bell has also participated actively in the Big Bash League, having coached the Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes. But in a coaching capacity, this will be Bell’s first partnership with an Asian team.