Such and French gain ECB roles

The ECB have bolstered their coaching staff at the National Performance Centre in Loughborough with the appointment of Peter Such and Bruce French.

Such, the former England and Essex offspinner who played 11 Tests, will take up a mentoring role with young spinners and create a spin bowling programme to ensure a clear pathway for future cricketers, while Mushtaq Ahmed continues his coaching job with the national team.

Wicketkeeper French, who played 16 Tests and 13 ODIs, has already been involved with the ECB acting as a part-time coaching consultant working with the likes of Matt Prior, James Foster and Steven Davies. His expanded role with see him work closely with wicketkeepers at all levels.

"The arrival of Peter and Bruce means we have now have specialist coaches employed across all the disciplines of the game," David Parsons, the ECB performance director, said. "I am confident that both Peter and Bruce will do an outstanding job in developing future specialists for England."

Such and French join a coaching staff that includes Kevin Shine (fast bowling), Dene Hills (batting) and Richard Halsall (fielding).