Cricket: Donald's Coaching Role Extended

The ECB has announced that Allan Donald's contract as England's bowling consultant has been extended until the end of September. Donald was due to finish his initial five-week tenure at the end of the current NatWest Series, but he will now remain working with Kevin Shine for both series against India as well as the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.

"I've greatly enjoyed my time working with the England fast bowlers and am delighted to be staying on in the role until September," said Donald. "We have an exciting crop of bowlers in the England ranks and I'm looking forward to continue working with them for the remainder of the summer and the first tour of the winter."

The extension will be welcome news for the English team. Their bowling performances noticeably improved as Donald's time with the team continued. Shine, nominally the head of the ECB's fast bowling program, has in effect been moved sideways to run the Academy.

Donald's influence was clearest on Steve Harmison, who recovered some of the form that had so drastically deserted him under Shine's guidance. Having endured a terrible start to the series against West Indies, he gradually improved as Donald emphasized the necessity of a wider approach to the bowling crease. Ryan Sidebottom also benefited, casting off his reputation as a timid player and introducing a new, Donald-esque, aggressive on-field persona.

Simon Taufel, Steve Bucknor and Ian Howell have been confirmed as the umpires for England's three Tests with India. Australian Taufel and Bucknor, Test cricket's most experienced official, will take charge of the opening match of the series at Lord's starting on July 19. South African Howell will then stand with Taufel at Trent Bridge in the second Test and Bucknor at The Oval for the final match.