ECB mulls on retaining 'White lightning'

London, July 3 (UNI) England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering extension of former South Africa speedster Allan Donald's contract as pace-bowling consultant for the national team as a reward for his good work.

Donald was hired for eight weeks as a consultant to help pace-bowling coach Kevin Shine for the first half of the summer and the contract expires at the end of the three-match ODI series against the West Indies.

The ECB is apparently ''happy'' by the result shown by English seamers after roping in the 'white lightning' and is considering an extension of contract.

''Discussions are ongoing as to whether we extend his consultancy role,'' an ECB spokesman told BBC Sport.

''The England management have been very happy with what he has brought to the table in working with the seam bowlers.'' If Donald is given a more permanent job, Shine is likely to move over to National Academy as director, the old job of current England coach Peter Moores who shares a close relationship with Donald after their time together at Free State, the provincial side in South Africa.

Donald, 40, the first South African to take 300 wickets in Tests, is not thought to have any other commitments that would prevent him staying with England.

After England bowled out West Indies for 146 on Sunday to win the first one-day international, captain Paul Collingwood praised Donald for his input.

''AD is a very passionate guy and speaks his mind, which is fantastic, because he has a hell of a lot of knowledge,'' Collingwood had said.

Stuart Broad, the 21-year-old fast bowler who took 3-20 in nine overs on Sunday, said, ''Allan Donald has been great to work with. He has made it clear that we need to bowl with aggression throughout the innings and, whatever lengths we're bowling, we need to bowl them hard.'' ''The guys feel like they are still moving in the right direction.'' UNI