Hunt is on for new Test bowling coach

ENGLAND are looking to bring in a locum bowling coach for their Test series in Pakistan with Jon Lewis set to return to the ECB’s pathways system. It is likely to be someone from the county game, which means Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson and Graeme Welch, the title-chasing Hampshire bowling coach, might return temporarily to a position they have filled in the past.

Alternatively, the hierarchy might consider an approach to Azhar Mahmood, who has specialist knowledge of the conditions England will face in December, having been Pakistan bowling coach until 2019. Meanwhile, England head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed he expects James Anderson, 40, and Stuart Broad, 36, to be selected for the Ashes squad next year. ‘Yeah, they’ll be here,’ said McCullum of England’s all-time leading Test wicket-takers. ‘Those guys are phenomenal cricketers. They are quite incredible humans.’

He added: ‘The time, the effort and the confidence they’re giving the other guys is quite remarkable.’