England hire 2005 Ashes bowling coach Troy Cooley as consultant for Australia series

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed the appointment of Troy Cooley as consultant pace bowling coach for the touring party’s preparation ahead of the Ashes Test series starting next month.

Cooley was bowling coach for England when they won the Ashes in 2005 after a drought of nearly 20 years. However, he went on to coach Australia’s bowlers, having not had his contract extended by the ECB.

The former England and Australian bowling coach will work under ECB’s Elite Pace Bowling Coach Jon Lewis, supporting the bowlers’ preparations in Brisbane.

Cooley will then assist England A in their four-day match against Australia A starting Dec. 9.

“It’s great to have someone of Troy’s expertise and experience supporting our Ashes prep and also working closely with the Lions (second tier) pace bowlers,” Mo Bobat, the ECB Performance Director said in a statement.

“Troy’s understanding of what it takes to be successful in Australian conditions is second to none, and the players are sure to benefit hugely.”

Stuart Broad also hailed the hire of Cooley, who is set to join the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) National Cricket Academy in the coming months.

The 55-year-old Cooley joined the Test specialists and the Lions for the three-day intra-squad warmup match that began on Tuesday at Redlands, Brisbane.

During his previous coaching spell with England, he was instrumental in helping players such as James Anderson, Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard.

England are looking to regain the Ashes for the first time since 2015, having lost in 2017-18. The 2019 series was drawn.