England enlist Jacques Kallis as batting consultant for Sri Lanka tour

The former South Africa allrounder joins for next month's two Tests as part of Chris Silverwood's backroom team

Jacques Kallis has joined England's backroom team as a batting coach consultant for the Test tour of Sri Lanka.

The former South Africa allrounder, the third-highest Test run-scorer of all time, has held roles with Kolkata Knight Riders and The Proteas since his retirement from all cricket in 2016.

He joins a seven-man coaching group for the back-to-back Tests in Galle in January 2021.

Chris Silverwood will lead the team alongside assistant Paul Collingwood, but there is no place for Graham Thorpe.

The former Surrey man had been among Silverwood's right-hand men and led the team for the three-match Pakistan T20 series in the summer.

Carl Hopkinson and Jon Lewis remain as fielding and bowling leads.

Jeetan Patel returns as spin bowling coaching consultant to work with Dom Bess, Jack Leach and Moeen Ali.

Patel had been targetted to permanently fill the spin-bowling berth earlier this year but visa issues prevented England making an appointment.

Following the retirement of Bruce French as wicketkeeping coach, James Foster is back as a consultant.

England face Sri Lanka in two Tests on January 14-18 and 22-26 before travelling to India for a 12-match tour.

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