Donald set to sign two-year contract with NZC

Allan Donald, the former South Africa fast bowler, is set to sign a two-year coaching deal with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Donald, who was in the running for the Australia bowling coach job, lost out to former Australia fast bowler Craig McDermott, and hopes to return to return to New Zealand, where he has worked on a contract basis since December last year

"I want to commit to New Zealand," Donald told ESPNCricinfo. "I spoke to Justin Vaughan this morning and thanked him for his patience with me. They have been very good in letting me go off for two and a half weeks and pursue the Australia job."

Donald had his final interview with Cricket Australia on Monday morning and was hopeful of being appointed the first foreign bowling coach of an Australian side. "I am a little disappointed; it was a massive opportunity and a huge job," he said, admitting that as the time for the announcement drew closer, he had a hunch he would not get the job and it would go to an Australian. "I know Craig very well and I wish him all the best."

New Zealand will be keen to sign Donald on as quickly as possible even though the next international series is in October against Zimbabwe. New Zealand's bowlers credited Donald with helping them become more aggressive and developing the attack into a more penetrative one. Donald said he would like to continue injecting forcefulness into the New Zealand fast bowlers. "I'm not a massively technical person, if there is a technical problem I will deal with, but I am very big on the mental side of things," he said. "There's no question that there is a talent there, but sometimes the New Zealand bowlers don't back themselves enough. It's about being a little arrogant and cocky."

Hamish Bennett and Adam Milne are two of the bowlers Donald has identified as being the "quickest," bowlers in the New Zealand attack, who can reach speeds of up to 145kmh. However Donald doesn't see his role as being to foster out and out pace. Instead, he wants to work on nuances that will turn the New Zealand attack into a powerful one. Donald has previously spoken about Tim Southee as crucial to this endeavour and he focused on Southee again. "A year or so ago, he was just flat lining and not progressing at all, but now it's going to be his responsibility to lead the attack."

Donald is likely to move to Lincoln, just outside Christchruch, where the temporary NZC offices and high performance center are based. He hopes to finish his level three and level four coaching course in the coming months. Donald also has ambitions of returning to his home country, South Africa, in the future. "It's my biggest dream to work for South Africa; that will be awesome. But I am going to give this my full go and run with it for a few years."