Alan Donald's impact

[Richard Jenkins]

What do you make of Alan Donald's impact as bowling coach? Is it too early really to judge? Collingwood certainly sung his praises in a recent cricinfo article Cricinfo - Collingwood praises Donald's impact

I think it's too early to start hyping up Donald. We need (and will get) much tougher opposition in India (no offence meant to the West Indies who have played well but not consistently)

Donald's contract only lasts 5 weeks. Certainly if he's that good , the situation needs to become a more stable one. England need to get a good back room staff and focus on several things now.
1) Winning as many tests and ODI as we can (especially ODI as I feel that the test side looks very good at the moment batting wise but the bowling , well that depends on Donald and what he can do as well as the pool of talent)
2) Winning the 20/20 world cup (which we really could/should do)
3) being competitative in the next ashes series and world cup

In the Winter we've got Sri Lanka and the commonwealth bank series and in Summer 2008 we've got South Africa and New Zealand. In the long term,the Ashes 2010-2011 will probably be six test matches and there is a complicated world cup in Banledesh, India and Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
(World Cricket League - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) for the qualification!)

[pie_chucker]

Well, after watcing us bowl today (and to a lesser extent yesterday) I have to say that I am very impressed with the effect "AD" has had on our bowlers. They were bowling with a purpose and agression not really seen since 2005.

I cant believe we have only given him a contract until the 20/20 WC. Sign him up now before the Saffers realise how good he is! We've already lost one good bowling coach (and found out what a bad one can do!) lets not lose another.

[flanflinger]

Originally Posted by pie_chucker

We've already lost one good bowling coach (and found out what a bad one can do!) lets not lose another.

If they make the same mistake they did with Troy Cooley, then someone somewhere should lose their job. I think they are being prudent, as he is not a proven coach (although he is of course a very proven player), but on the current evidence he is doing a superb job and should be retained.

[greg]

Give him a long term contract now and end all the speculation.

[pie_chucker]

Whilst I can see the ECB holding back because he isnt a proven coach, test match bowlers shouldnt need that much coaching.

What they do need is the sort of advice that Donald is giving. It also helps that they will all respect Donald as a test bowler and what he has achieved in the game.

With the money the ECB have they cant claim they cant afford Donald and I doubt his demands would be excessive anyway.

Perhaps to be a cricket administrator you have to have little knowledge of the game and be incompetant

[south beds mikey]

Originally Posted by greg

Give him a long term contract now and end all the speculation.

Absolutely correct. Sign him up before someone pinches him.