Eric Simons to join England Test staff, BBC reports

Eric Simons is set to become England's Test bowling coach as Stephen Fleming builds his support staff, BBC Sport reported on Sunday. The former South Africa head coach would be the first addition to Fleming's backroom team. According to the report, his appointment will be confirmed on Monday alongside England's latest round of central contracts, rather than having already been formally announced.

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The move would reunite two coaches with an established working relationship across franchise cricket. Simons has worked with Fleming at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, Joburg Super Kings in South Africa's SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket. Fleming is preparing for his first series in charge of England's Test side, against South Africa in December.

England's coaching changes follow another division of head-coaching duties between formats. Fleming now leads the Test team, while Brendon McCullum is responsible for the white-ball sides. During McCullum's time overseeing Tests, England employed several fast-bowling consultants, including James Anderson, David Saker and Tim Southee, rather than relying on just one name in that role.

Simons, 64, brings experience from both playing and coaching international cricket. He represented South Africa in 23 one-day internationals during 1994 and 1995. His later coaching career included leading the national team from 2002 to 2004 and serving as India's bowling coach, in addition to his work alongside Fleming in domestic franchise competitions.

BBC Sport also reported that Saker will be among England's staff for this month's one-day tri-series in Pakistan. Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy and Carl Hopkinson will be involved too. Southee and fielding coach Sarah Taylor, who worked with England during the home summer, could return later in the winter, but their involvement remains uncertain.

Kevin Pietersen has separately been appointed as a batting consultant to the white-ball teams ahead of the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa. He will miss the Pakistan trip but is due to join the Australia white-ball tour and January's three one-day internationals in South Africa. Marcus Trescothick, who led the Test side on an interim basis against Pakistan, still has no confirmed future role in the England set-up, according to the BBC report.