Eric Simons emerges as frontrunner for bowling coach job

Former South African cricketer Eric Simons has emerged as a frontrunner for taking over as the bowling coach of the Indian cricket team.

Although the Cricket Board has not made a formal announcement about his appointment yet, it is learnt that Simons will be asked to take up the assignment on a trial basis.

Simons, a former cricketer who played 23 One-day Internationals and was also South Africa's coach from 2002 to 2004, may be asked to join the squad in Bangladesh before the first Test gets underway in Chittagong from January 17.

Another former South African paceman Allan Donald was also in the fray for the job but Simons appears to be the favourite now.

Coach Gary Kirsten, it is learnt, is keen to have Simons on board after former India paceman Venkatesh Prasad was sacked from the post in October just before the home series against Australia.

When contacted, BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said no decision has been taken yet. "We are looking for a bowling coach but we have not finalised a name yet," he said.

A top source said the BCCI first wants to trial Simons in the ongoing series against Bangladesh to give the team sufficient time to have a comfort level with him.

Hailing from South Africa's Western Province, all-rounder Simons made his international debut at the age of 32 and took just 33 wickets and scored 217 runs in 23 ODIs.