Tim Boon, the former Leicestershire and England Under-19 head coach, has been roped in by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on a one-month contract starting May 8. Boon brings a wealth of experience, having also served as England’s team analyst during the iconic 2005 Ashes series under Duncan Fletcher. His role in Sri Lanka will be as a batting consultant and high-performance advisor.
Boon’s coaching duties cover a broad spectrum of teams. He will work closely with the Sri Lanka Women’s senior and A squads, the men’s emerging team, and the Under-17 side. The focus will be on refining batting techniques and strategies to boost individual and team performances. According to an official SLC statement, Boon’s programme will involve “technical and tactical sessions aimed at improving the players’ overall batting approach and individual performance.” This hands-on role signals Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to strengthening its cricketing structure through expert guidance.
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SLC continues trend of overseas coaching expertise
Boon’s arrival follows the footsteps of other renowned overseas coaches brought in by Sri Lanka Cricket on short-term deals. Earlier this month, India’s former fielding coach, R Sridhar, led a “comprehensive 10-day fielding programme” for both the men’s and women’s teams in Sri Lanka. This initiative underscores SLC’s emphasis on sharpening fielding skills across the board.
The policy of hiring specialists on brief contracts has been a consistent strategy. In 2024, Zubin Bharucha, Rajasthan Royals’ high-performance director, held a batting-focused programme aimed at raising standards. Over the last decade, legends like Wasim Akram and Jonty Rhodes have also been engaged for short stints to bolster bowling and fielding respectively.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s approach reflects a desire to tap into global expertise and adapt new methods rapidly. ’s arrival is expected to add fresh insights and help nurture promising talent across multiple teams. As SLC seeks to rebuild and improve their cricketing fortunes, such collaborations with experienced foreign coaches may prove vital in shaping the future of Sri Lankan cricket.
