Eric Simons named Delhi Daredevils' assistant coach

Eric Simons, India's bowling coach for the home series against South Africa, will return to India as assistant coach for the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL. Simons, who will assist Greg Shipperd, fills the position left vacant by Australia's David Saker, and will focus on working with the large bunch of young bowlers in the Delhi squad.

"He is a very valuable resource, and has a lot to offer to our performance," Amrit Mathur, Delhi's chief operating officer, told Cricinfo. With Glenn McGrath deciding against returning to the IPL, Delhi's fast bowling department will be led by the left-arm pair of Ashish Nehra and Dirk Nannes. Delhi bought Wayne Parnell, another left-arm pace bowler, at last month's auction. But the rest of the Delhi fast bowlers are short on experience at the highest level.

Simons served as South Africa's head coach from 2002-2004 and later held various capacities at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. He also has some coaching experience in the IPL, having worked as a consultant with Ray Jennings last year for Royal Challengers Bangalore when the tournament moved to South Africa.

Another reason that might have necessitated Simons' appointment was the exit of TA Sekar, who was in charge of the bowling department for Delhi for the first two years of the IPL. Sekar, more famous for his long association with Dennis Lillee at the MRF Pace Foundation, moved to Mumbai Indians after last year's IPL.

"We have Umesh Yadav, Aavishkar Salvi, Pradeep Sangwan, Yo Mahesh, Jesuraj - bowlers who require special attention in terms of their growth," Mathur said.