ECB appoints Darren Gough as bowling consultant for Test series against New Zealand

England Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday announced former seamer Darren Gough as fast bowling consultant for two Test matches during their New Zealand tour.

The 49-year-old will join the Test squad in Auckland on November 5 and will work with the seam bowling group until November 18. Before the Test matches, the team will compete in a five-match T20I series, starting from November 1.

England Men’s Head Coach Chris Silverwood said he is delighted to have Gough on board.

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“I’m delighted to have Darren on board. I have known him a long time and his vast knowledge and experience at international level will drive our bowling unit forward leading into the two-match Test series. He will be excellent around the group and will settle in quickly,” ECB’s official website quoted Silverwood as saying.

Gough said it is a ‘tremendous honour’ to be asked by Silverwood and ECB director of cricket Ashley Giles to be involved in the ‘elite environment’.

“It is a tremendous honour to be asked by Chris Silverwood and Ashley Giles to be involved in this elite environment. I very much look forward to working with all the bowlers and helping them improve,” Gough said.

“I will gain a lot from the experience and to work at this level will benefit me as a coach for the long-term. I can’t wait to get cracking,” he added.