Donald set to join Aussie coaching staff

South Africa fast bowling great Allan Donald is set to join the Australian team as a bowling coach for the Qantas Tour of Sri Lanka and at least one series against the Proteas.

According to News Limited Donald will fill the vacancy left by former bowling coach Craig McDermott, who finished up with CA at the end of the World T20 tournament in India, for a lengthy tour of Sri Lanka that features three Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20Is between July and September.

Cricket Australia have not officially confirmed Donald's appointment, but the report suggests he will also join the Australian squad for a one-day series in South Africa in September and potentially even the crucial three-Test series against the Proteas which begins in Perth in November.

The 49-year-old’s likely appointment comes after it was revealed Western Australia bowling coach Adam Griffith had been drafted in for Australia's upcoming tour of the West Indies, which will take place in June.

He will join Greg Blewett in Australia's coaching staff in Sri Lanka, with former Australia Test batsman Blewett currently employed as fielding coach and appointed on an interim basis to fill the role of batting coach left vacant by Michael Di Venuto’s departure earlier this year.

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A fast-bowling giant of the game who took 330 Test wickets, Donald's coaching pedigree extends back to 2007, shortly after his playing days, when he took on the role of temporary bowling coach for England.

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He also went on to coach Warwickshire, where he had played, and has filled the bowling coach role for both New Zealand and his native South Africa, a role he stepped down from at the end of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, meaning he would bring with him critical knowledge of the Proteas' star-studded line-up, should he remain in place for the twin showdowns against his former team later this year.

CA have previously stated they are working through coaching appointments for the Sri Lankan tour and any announcements will be made in "due course".

Following the retirements of Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson in 2015, Australia's pace attack is now led by Mitchell Starc, who is set to make his return from ankle surgery during the Caribbean tri-series in June.

Fast bowlers Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson and Peter Siddle were all included in Cricket Australia's 2016-17 central contract list, as were allrounders James Faulkner, Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell as well as off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

Australia are not expected to name a full-time replacement for McDermott until the 2016-17 home summer, with Bupa  Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann last week saying CA would not rush the decision.

"It's in the throes. There are a few good candidates out there," Lehmann told FIVEaa radio last week.

"We'll try and get someone in place by the start of the summer and we'll be fine."

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