Eric Simons to Join England as Test Bowling Coach Under Fleming

Eric Simons is set to become England's Test bowling coach. He is the first addition to Stephen Fleming's backroom staff since Fleming took charge of the Test side. Their first series together will be against South Africa in December, according to BBC Sport.

England have split the head coach role. Fleming leads the Test team, which plays the five-day format. Brendon McCullum leads the white-ball teams, which play the shorter one-day and T20 internationals.

Simons knows Fleming well. The pair worked together at Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, the world's best-known T20 franchise league. They also teamed up at Joburg Super Kings in South Africa's SA20 and Texas Super Kings in America's Major League Cricket.

Simons brings a broad coaching record. He was South Africa head coach between 2002 and 2004. He later had a spell as India's bowling coach, the specialist who works with pace and spin bowlers on plans and skills. As a player, he won 23 one-day caps for South Africa in 1994 and 1995. One-day internationals are 50-over matches between countries.

The rest of England's new structure is taking form. Kevin Pietersen has been appointed as batting consultant to the white-ball teams. Marcus Trescothick took interim charge of the Test team for the series against Pakistan before Fleming's tenure started.

Fleming signed a four-year deal running through September 2030. He impressed the England and Wales Cricket Board across a series of interviews before getting the Test job, according to The Guardian. His stated aim is to take England back to the top of the world Test rankings. England have not been No. 1 since 2012, according to AP News.

For fans, this means a familiar start. Fleming has turned first to a coach who understands his methods. The December trip to face South Africa will be the first test of that partnership.