England are set to add Eric Simons to Stephen Fleming's backroom team as Test bowling coach. Simons, the former South Africa head coach, is a long-time ally of Fleming, having worked alongside him in the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings. His appointment will be confirmed on Monday when England announce the latest round of central contracts.
Fleming is assembling his backroom team for his first series in charge against South Africa in December. The appointment comes as England continues to split head-coaching responsibilities across formats, with Fleming leading the Test side and Brendon McCullum in charge of white-ball teams. When McCullum was Test coach, England used fast-bowling consultants including James Anderson, David Saker and Tim Southee.
Saker will join the England staff for the one-day tri-series in Pakistan this month, alongside Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy and Carl Hopkinson. Southee and fielding coach Sarah Taylor, who have been with England throughout the home summer, may rejoin later in the winter. Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as a batting consultant for the white-ball teams ahead of the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa, though he will not tour Pakistan.
Marcus Trescothick took interim charge of the Test team for the series against Pakistan, with his future still under discussion. Simons, 64, played 23 ODIs for South Africa in the mid-1990s and previously worked with Fleming at Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. He coached South Africa from 2002 to 2004 and served as India's bowling coach.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing