Jonathan Trott has been appointed as the new coach of the England Lions, the country's second-tier cricket team. The 45-year-old former batsman will oversee the Lions’ upcoming tours to the West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka scheduled for this winter.

Trott, who played 22 matches for the Lions during his playing career, succeeds Andrew Flintoff in the coaching role. He previously served as head coach of Afghanistan’s national team for four years before stepping down in February 2026.

Expressing enthusiasm about his new position, Trott said he was pleased to return to the England setup and highlighted the importance of the Lions experience in player development. He emphasized his commitment to helping emerging talent realize their potential as they progress toward international cricket.

The appointment marks a significant step for Trott as he moves closer to his aspiration of becoming head coach of England’s national team in the future. His tenure with the Lions will involve preparing promising players for the rigors of top-level international competition through challenging overseas tours.