Trott Takes Charge: England Lions' New Era Begins

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-22

### Trott Steps Up as England Lions Head Coach Jonathan Trott is the new head coach of England Lions, taking over from Andrew Flintoff who stepped down in early August. Trott's appointment comes after he led the Lions to two T20 wins over Sri Lanka in recent weeks, and the ECB made it official on Monday. It's a role he's familiar with, having already served in the position on an interim basis. After leaving his post as Afghanistan's head coach following February's T20 World Cup, Trott took on short-term roles with Ireland and Glamorgan. Now, he's stepping into a longer assignment that could shape his coaching future at the international level. He's openly spoken about wanting to coach England one day, and the Lions setup might just be the stepping stone he needs. ### A Full Circle Moment Trott's history with the Lions runs deep. He played 22 matches for the team before earning his first Test call-up in 2009. "I'm delighted and hugely excited to take charge," he said. "My time with the Lions shaped my path as an all-format international player, and I look forward to working with the players and staff to prepare them for the demands of international cricket." ECB performance director Ed Barney pointed to Trott's playing background as a key factor in the appointment. "Jonathan is an experienced international coach who came through the same pathway," Barney explained. "His past as an England player will resonate with the current group." ### Winter Tours: A 50-Over Focus The Lions have a busy winter ahead with three tours: - **West Indies:** October 28 – November 20 - **South Africa:** November 25 – December 23 - **Sri Lanka:** February 18 – March 14 Training camps begin in October. Barney noted that the schedule leans heavily on 50-over cricket, with next year's World Cup in southern Africa shaping the planning. Red-ball fixtures are also included, giving players a chance to develop a wider skill set. ### What This Means for England's Future Trott's appointment fills a role that's been vacant since Flintoff's departure. With a World Cup year on the horizon, he's now in charge of England's pipeline of talent. His unique perspective as both a former Lions player and a full England international gives him a direct understanding of what the program aims to achieve. The coming months will test how he transitions from short-term consultancy work to a sustained coaching post. But if his early T20 success is any indication, Trott might just be the right man to guide England's next generation. For more cricket news and updates, keep an eye on our blog.