England batting coach to defect to Australia in mid-Ashes

Dene Hills, the England batting coach, is to take up a new role with Cricket Australia in the middle of the forthcoming Ashes series, according to a report in the Mail. The 40-year-old Australian, who has worked closely with England's batsmen since his appointment in August 2008, will take over as CA's assistant coach and team analyst after the second Test in Adelaide. Hills, who has represented Tasmania and Scotland as a player, informed the England and Wales Cricket Board of his intention to return home some time ago and has been forced to serve a full three-month notice period which expires in mid‑December. Hills will then be free to go straight into the Australian dressing room for the third Test in Perth on 16 December and be able to produce up-to-date and first-hand information on England's leading batsmen. It is not yet known whether the ECB has considered a replacement or if Hills' responsibilities will be absorbed into Andy Flower's role as head coach.