Donald will fill the vacancy left by former bowling coach Craig McDermott, who finished up with Australia after the World T20. He will join the team for three Tests, five ODIs and two T20 matches in Sri Lanka from 26 July to 9 September. The position is not a permanent one.
The 49-year-old’s appointment comes after the news that Western Australian bowling coach Adam Griffith will be drafted in for the tri-nations ODI series which includes the Proteas and West Indies in June.
‘I’m really excited about the new challenge,’ Donald said in an interview on Cricket Australia’s website. ‘When Boof [coach Darren Lehmann] asked me I didn’t expect that at all.
‘For me as an international cricketer playing against Australia, there was a lot of respect for the way they played their cricket.’
The former fast-bowler began his coaching career in 2007 when he joined up with England, before stints with Warwickshire and New Zealand. Then he took up the role with the Proteas before stepping down at the end of the World Cup last year. He is currently bowling coach for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
Following the retirements of Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson in 2015, Donald will be coaching the Australians through a bit of a transition phase, with Mitchell Starc leading the attack.
‘He brings a wealth of experience with him and our guys will benefit greatly from having him around,’ Lehmann added. ‘His Test record speaks for itself and he was without a doubt one of the most formidable bowlers of his generation.’He has also had considerable success in sub-continent conditions and will bring a fresh perspective, and challenge some of our thinking.’
