Mushtaq named as England spin coach

Mushtaq Ahmed, the former Pakistan and Sussex legspinner, has been appointed as the ECB's spin-bowling coach.

Mushtaq retired from first-class cricket this summer, and will work with spinners in England's Test and one-day squads, in addition to the ECB's development programmes. The ECB said that Mushtaq will be looking to sever his ties with the ICL as soon as possible.

"We are very excited that a bowler of Mushtaq's standing has decided to join our team of specialist coaches based at the performance centre at Loughborough," David Parsons, the ECB performance director and former head spin coach, said. "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 grass roots of the game to take up and learn the art of spin bowling."

Hugh Morris, the ECB's managing director, said: "It's critical 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."

Mushtaq, 38, last played for Pakistan in 2003. Overlooked by his country, he carved out a very successful county career, and in 2003 he became the first bowler in five years to take 100 wickets in the English season. That was instrumental in guiding Sussex to the first Championship title in their history, a feat he and they repeated in 2006 and the following season. He has bowled over 26,000 overs in all competitions, taking 598 wickets. He ended his first-class career with over 1400 wickets, and is currently playing for the Lahore Badshahs in the ICL.