SWINDON’S Jon Lewis has been appointed head coach of the England U19 side for the ICC Under-19s World Cup in New Zealand next month.

The former England seamer and now Sussex CCC assistant coach is currently in Australia as part of the coaching staff with the England Lions but will now switch his attentions to the national age group side.

Lewis, who used to play for Swindon before joining Gloucestershire CCC, will receive support from former England batsman Jonathan Trott, who has been appointed batting coach.

David Parsons, the ECB’s performance director, said: “We are delighted that Jon Lewis and Jonathan Trott have accepted our invitations to join the England Under-19s at the World Cup, and grateful to their counties Sussex and Warwickshire for releasing them to do so.

“Jon has experience of the International Pathway having worked with the Under-19s on their tour of India last winter, and is currently with the Lions in Australia.

“Trotty was invited to help the Lions in their preparations for Australia by Andy Flower, and made a really positive impression on all the players and coaches during their week at the Performance Centre, so it’s good to be able to offer him the opportunity to gain further coaching experience at a World Cup – and to share his considerable international experience with our next generation of batsmen.”

England U19s are currently in South Africa playing in a Tri-Series as they continue their preparations for the World Cup, and won their opening match against Namibia in Potchefstroom yesterday.

England fly to New Zealand on January 2 and play warm-up games against Ireland and Sri Lanka before three group matches against Namibia, Bangladesh and Canada, all in Queenstown. The World Cup final is in Tauranga on February 3.

As a result of his appointment, Lewis will no longer join the Lions for their tour to the West Indies in the new year.