Former South Africa bowler joins Warwickshire

Donald leaves England searching for bowling coach

Cricinfo staff

September 28, 2007

Allan Donald: 'I feel that the commitment I would have to make to touring would be too great' © Getty Images

Donald last year withdrew his application for the coaching post vacated by Troy Cooley in 2005, but joined the ECB in an interim role for the 2007 season. "It has been an immensely enjoyable time," he said, "but after 11 years on the road I feel that the commitment I would have to make to touring would be too great. I am grateful for the experience of the last five months."

David Collier, the ECB's chief executive, said: "We are grateful to Allan for his contribution this summer and we fully understand the reasons for his decision not to take up the offer of a full-time contract which we offered before the Trent Bridge Test in July."

Instead, Donald has been lured to Warwickshire, where he made 141 appearances between 1987 and 1999. He will take up the post in February next year, linking up with his former county team-mate, Ashley Giles, who succeeded Mark Greatbatch as director of cricket earlier this month. Warwickshire endured a dreadful season, and Donald's first task will be to help them recover from their relegation from the first division of the County Championship.

His decision has left England searching once again for a full-time replacement for Cooley, whose key work with England's seamers was crucial to the recapturing of the Ashes in 2005. Donald had originally been brought in by England's head coach, Peter Moores, on a five-week deal, but that was extended to the end of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament after the success he had enjoyed with younger bowlers such as Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson.

"Allan brought a lot to the squad while he was with us and we're obviously going to miss his input," said Moores. "And whether he decides to move back to his second home at Warwickshire and do what is right for him and his family, we have to respect his decision.

"He had been on the international circuit for around 12 years as a highly-respected player and understandably he has made a personal decision to stay in one place and we wish him all the best with that.

Ottis Gibson, the Durham allrounder who recently won the PCA Cricketer of the Year award, is filling the role during the one-day tour of Sri Lanka and is now the favourite to take up the job full-time, pending the success of his application to take over as Head Coach of West Indies.

"We have a quality bowling coach with us in Gibson who will do a great job out in Sri Lanka," said Moores. "He worked with the high performance squad out in Perth last year and has a lot to offer."

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