Assistant coaches Carl Hopkinson, Richard Dawson to leave England white-ball set-up

England cricket's assistant coaches Carl Hopkinson and Richard Dawson are all set to leave their positions in the white-ball setup. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced their departure on Sunday after the two were involved in multiple ICC tournament successes. With Brendon McCullum taking up the role of all-format coach in January, the white-ball setup is seeing some significant changes.

Hopkinson, who has served as England's fielding coach since 2018 was part of England's historic 2019 ODI World Cup victory on home soil and the victorious 2022 T20 World Cup campaign in Australia.

"It has been a career highlight not only to be part of the England coaching set-up for the past seven years but also to be involved in two historic World Cup victories, which is something I'll always cherish. After starting as National Lead Fielding coach I worked alongside Richard Dawson to help the England Men U19s reach their first World Cup final in 24 years. It has been exciting to see young players we worked with at the World Cup grow into full England internationals as well as more recently helping some of the best white-ball players in the world continue to develop," Hopkinson was saying as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Similarly, Dawson, a former Test spinner, guided the Young Lions to the Under-19 World Cup final in 2022 before joining the senior coaching staff. The departing coaches will conclude their roles following England's ongoing Caribbean tour.

"I have enjoyed every minute in the England environment and working with some of the best white-ball players in the world, as well as great people in the coaching team and backroom staff from the U19s to the senior team. Being head coach of the England U19 team that reached the World Cup final was a career highlight, while it has been a pleasure working with some of the top spinners in the world while also developing the strength and depth of spin bowling talent from across the country. I look forward to seeing the white-ball team continue to progress and hopefully win more trophies," Dawson said.

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ENG cricket in better place because of Hoppo and Daws: Rob Key

However, the senior men's team's recent performances have asked the need for change. England's white-ball form has taken a downturn, with unsuccessful World Cup title defenses in both India and the USA-West Indies over the past year. These disappointments led to the resignation of head coach Matthew Mott.

"Hoppo (Hopkinson) and Daws (Dawson) are two outstanding coaches who have played important roles in the success of our white-ball teams. In addition to their coaching expertise with our senior teams, they have also developed young players through the age groups to help set up the next era of our white-ball teams. England Cricket is in a better place because of them and I wish them well in the next chapter of their careers," ECB director Rob Key said as quoted by Cricbuzz.