England are set to add their first name to Stephen Fleming’s backroom team, with Eric Simons joining as Test bowling coach.
The former South Africa coach is a long-time ally of Simons Fleming and worked with him in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Chennai Super Kings.
Simons’ new role will be confirmed on Monday when the England center announces the latest round of signings.
New Zealander Fleming is assembling a backroom team for the first series against South Africa in December.
The change in squad comes as England once again split their coaching duties between formats. Fleming leads the Test side and Brendon McCullum leads the white ball teams.
When McCullum was Test coach, England used a number of fast-bowling consultants, including James Anderson, David Saker and Tim Southee.
Saker will be part of the England squad for the three-day one-day series in Pakistan this month, along with long-term McCullum assistant Jeetan Patel, Mike Yardy and Carl Hopkinson.
Southee, who has been with England throughout the summer, and pitching coach Sarah Taylor could rejoin the team in the winter.
Kevin Pietersen has been appointed batting consultant to the white-ball teams ahead of the 50-over World Cup in southern Africa.
Former England batsman Pietersen will not be on the tour of Pakistan but is due to join the squad for the white-ball tour of Australia and South Africa in January for three one-day internationals in the country of his birth.
Marcus Trescothick has taken over the interim leadership of the Test team for the series against Pakistan. His future in England has been the subject of speculation and is yet to be confirmed.
Simons, 64, played 23 one-day internationals for South Africa in 1994 and 1995.
He also worked with Fleming at Joburg Super Kings in SA20 and Texas Super Kings in Major League Cricket.
Simons led the South African team for two years from 2002 to 2004 and worked as bowling coach in India.