Photo via BBC Sport

South African Simons to join England Test set-up

England have appointed Eric Simons as their new Test bowling coach, marking the first addition to Stephen Fleming’s backroom team. Simons, a former South Africa head coach and long-standing collaborator with Fleming—having worked together in the Indian Premier League with Chennai Super Kings—will join ahead of England’s December Test series against South Africa.

His role will be officially confirmed alongside the latest round of central contracts, announced on Monday. Fleming, who leads the Test side while Brendon McCullum oversees white-ball teams, is assembling a specialized staff for his debut series in charge, following Marcus Trescothick’s interim tenure during England’s recent Tests against Pakistan.

Simons, 64, brings extensive experience, having coached South Africa between 2002 and 2004 and served as India’s bowling coach, while also playing 23 ODIs for South Africa in the mid-1990s. Meanwhile, England’s white-ball setup for the upcoming 50-over World Cup includes Kevin Pietersen as a batting consultant, though he will not join the squad for the Pakistan tri-series this month, where David Saker and other specialists will assist McCullum.

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