Australia have roped in former England batsman Graham Hicks as their new batting coach for the next four seasons. He was appointed as Cricket Australia’s high-performance coach in 2013 and has now been given the role of improving Australia’s poor batting performances in overseas conditions. The 50-year old will join head coach Darren Lehmann, fielding coach Greg Blewett and newly-appointed bowling coach David Saker in the Australian coaching team.

Hick expressed his excitement over the appointment and said that he is looking forward to working with some of the best players in the world.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my current role with Cricket Australia and have worked with some great young up and coming players,” he said on Thursday (September 15). “To take the next step up with the men’s team and getting the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world is something I am really looking forward to.”

Meanwhile, Australia head coach, Lehmann welcomed the appointment and said that his team was impressed with his work during the tri-series in West Indies. He said that Hick’s familiarity with English conditions will help his team a lot, since the Champions Trophy, World Cup and Ashes, are scheduled to be held in England in the next few years.

“Graeme worked with us during the recent ODI tour in the West Indies and we were really impressed with what he brought to the group,” he said. “He is a very experienced player in all conditions and will bring a wealth of knowledge with him.

“With an ICC Champions Trophy, an Ashes Series and an ICC World Cup all to be played in England in the near future, his knowledge of those conditions will also be invaluable,” Lehmann added.

Hick had a brilliant career in first-class cricket. He scored 41,112 first-class runs in his illustrious career. He is the 15th on the all-time tally of highest run scorers. Hick represented England in 65 Tests and 120 One-Day Internationals from 1991 to 2001.