Bowling role for Mushtaq

4:51pm Thursday 23rd October 2008

Former Pakistan star Mushtaq Ahmed has been appointed as a spin-bowling coach by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Mushtaq, 38, will work with England players at various levels, having agreed a deal on a consultancy basis.

"We are very excited that a bowler of Mushtaq's standing within the game has decided to join our team of specialist coaches based at the National Cricket Performance Centre at Loughborough," said ECB performance director David Parsons.

"He will have a role to play at all levels of the game.

"His primary task will be to mentor our leading spin bowlers in the Test, one-day and performance squads, but we also believe he can help encourage youngsters at the grassroots of the game to take up and learn the art of spin bowling."

The ECB also said in a statement that Mushtaq would be "taking appropriate steps to sever his ties with the Indian Cricket League".

Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, added: "It's critical that we nurture and develop the next generation of England spin bowlers using the expertise and knowledge of former players such as Mushtaq.

"Spin has been integral to the success of the world's best cricket teams and we are keen to ensure that there is a constant flow of spin-bowling talent into the England set-up."