Neil Killeen is set to become the ECB’s men’s Elite Pace Bowling Coach, bringing his 30-year tenure at Durham Cricket to an end.
Killeen who made over 350 appearances for Durham in all formats made his first-class debut for the county in 1995 taking 262 red ball wickets before retiring in 2010.
He was part of the Durham side that won the Friends Provident Trophy at Lord’s in 2007 and still remains the Clubs’ leading wicket taker in that format with 298 scalps.
A one clubman, following his retirement, he progressed straight into coaching in 2011 guiding the Seconds to Championship titles in both 2016 and 2018, before taking on the role of Assistant Lead & Head Bowling Coach at the start of the 2019 season.
While playing a key role in the development of many Durham players such as Ben Stokes, Mark Wood, Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts.
The 47-year-old returns to the England coaching set up having previously worked with the England ODI squad, England Lions and England under-19s.
On his appointment, Killeen said: “I’m delighted to be appointed Elite Pace Bowling Coach with the ECB and can’t wait to get started with a new challenge.
“It’s an exciting time to be joining the ECB, as there is a wealth of fast bowling talent and coaching around the country that I’m looking forward to working with in order to maintain England’s strong contingent of pace bowlers in the future.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone at Durham for their continued support both as a player and a coach over the last 30 years, it has been a great journey.
“A big thank you also to all the members for their continued support throughout my career, I look forward to returning and watching alongside them in the future.
“It has been an honour to represent the club and I would like to wish them continued success for the future.”
Director of Cricket Marcus North said: “Neil has been instrumental in the development of Durham’s bowlers for well over a decade, most recently seeing Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse earning England Men’s selection.
“The opportunity to move into the national pathway with England is one that Neil thoroughly deserves and will be an asset to the ECB.
“I know how much our Club means to Neil and I would like to thank and congratulate him on his contribution as a player and coach. He will leave a legacy that will continue to influence our current and future players.”
Durham Cricket Chief Executive Tim Bostock said: “It has been fantastic to see the results of Neil’s work since he began coaching back in 2011 and his time at Durham as both a player and a coach will be fondly remembered by our Members and supporters.
“The opportunity to work with the national team is a huge honour and all at Durham Cricket are immensely proud of this, as we continue to develop players and coaches into the national set up.
“Durham is in Neil’s blood and we would like to thank him for his dedication and professionalism throughout his time at the Club and wish him just as much success with England.”
Durham Chairman, Ian Botham added: “Neil has emerged as one of the games most respected bowling coaches and his success with Durham demonstrates this further.”
“His work with Durham’s bowlers for many years has been first class, so it comes as no surprise that he has been given this opportunity with England.
“Our aim is to produce England players and coaches – and this is further evidence that the work being done at Durham is paying off.
“His success with Durham as both a player and a coach has been outstanding, and I wish him all the best with his next chapter.”