Allan Donald to join Australia’s coaching ranks

Cricket Australia confirmed Thursday that Donald, a 72-test veteran who was South Africa’s bowling coach from 2011-15, will work with Australia’s pace attack during the upcoming three-test tour to Sri Lanka.

“He brings a wealth of experience and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around,” Australia head coach Darren Lehmann said. “His test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.

“He has also had considerable success in sub-continent conditions and will bring a fresh perspective, and challenge some of our thinking.”

Donald, who took 330 wickets at an average of 22.25 and an economy rate 2.83 in more than a decade of test cricket, said he was surprised at the initial approach from Lehmann, but excited about the opportunity.

“I have a lot of respect for the way the Australians play cricket — always willing to take a risk to give it a crack,” Donald said.

The Australians have been dominant in home test series but struggled away from home in the last decade, particularly in the sub-continent.

The 49-year-old Donald could have the key, with extra emphasis on getting the young bowling group to develop their skills at reverse swing.

“I want to take reserve swing to another level,” he said. “That, to me, is a massive skill.”

Lehmann is reportedly trying to recruit Jason Gillespie as the longer-term bowling coach for Australia, but Donald didn’t let that inhibit his goals.

“If it does happen to be a long-term thing, I’d absolutely love to do that,” he said. “We”ll take it small steps at a time and see how that goes.”