Coaching Boon for Leicestershire

Chief executive David Smith partly credits Tim Boon with helping allow youngsters like Greg Smith a first-team chance

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Leicestershire senior coach Tim Boon is set to stay in his role until at least 2011 after signing an extension to his contract.

Boon, 48, a former Foxes batsman, won the 2006 Twenty20 Cup in his first year in the role, after a spell as England team analyst.

In the past two years, he has helped to preside over a change at Grace Road from a reliance on Kolpak players to allowing greater first-team opportunities for the area’s young players.

Leicestershire chief executive David Smith said: “I am delighted that Tim has extended his contract with the club.

“I must place on record my appreciation of the hard work that has been undertaken by Tim Boon and all his coaching staff. I am very keen that we develop continuity right the way through the club.

“When Tim took over the club in February 2006, the development plan for our young cricketers had not been fully implemented with the Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Board.

“In the last 18 months the club has provided the England age-group set-up with eight players - James Taylor, Josh Cobb, Greg Smith, Nathan Buck, Alex Wyatt, Shiv Thakor, Ben Collins and Tom Wells.

“This in line with our aim of producing a consistent pipeline of good young English-qualified players, developed through the Leicestershire and Rutland system. There are others already identified to follow.”

Boon is set to begin work with the new Leicestershire captain, Matthew Hoggard, who joined from Yorkshire in October.