SYDNEY, July 6: Former England batsman Graham Thorpe has been named assistant coach of the New South Wales (NSW) cricket team for the next season. Thorpe, who averaged 44.66 in 100 Tests, will also coach the NSW second XI.

“I’m delighted to announce Thorpe’s appointment,” Cricket NSW Chief Executive David Gilbert said on Friday. “To have a player of Thorpe’s international experience working with our squad, particularly our young talented players, will be tremendous.”

Thorpe, 37, said the appointment represented the “next chapter in my cricket career.”

Thorpe, who played his last Test for England in 2005, will work under newly appointed head coach Matthew Mott, who has been promoted from assistant coach to replace Trevor Bayliss. Bayliss is moving to Sri Lanka to coach that country’s national team. —AP