YORKSHIRE have confirmed that John Blain will return to Headingley as the county's assistant bowling coach. The 29-year-old Scotland seamer will be responsible for developing talent emerging from their schools cricket programme through to the Yorkshire Academy.
Blain is seen as an ideal long-term replacement for Steve Oldham who has been responsible for the development of Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Ryan Sidebottom in recent years. Oldham will play a key role in Blain's personal development to ensure
Yorkshire have a plan in place so that young bowlers progress through the ranks to play first-class cricket.
Blain, who will continue to represent Scotland in international cricket, will also be registered as a player with Yorkshire and be available to play if required.
Chief executive Stewart Regan said:
"John's international experience, natural leadership qualities and enthusiasm makes him an ideal role model for younger players. We want him to spend time with Steve Oldham in order to learn the tricks of the trade and ultimately take over when Steve decides to call it a day."
Blain added: "This is a great opportunity for me and it will be an honour working for Yorkshire in such an important role.
"I have enormous respect for Steve Oldham and relish the chance to learn from him and develop my own coaching expertise – I cannot wait to get started."
The move also got the blessing of Cricket Scotland chief executive Roddy Smith who is pleased to have Blain available for crunch matches next year.
Smith said: "This is excellent news for John and a real opportunity to progress his professional career.
"Yorkshire have agreed that John can continue playing for Scotland which is great news for us, especially with the World Cup Qualifier and ICC World Twenty20 taking place in 2009."
Blain began his cricket career with Northamptonshire before moving to Yorkshire just before the start of the 2004 season. He played 14 first-class matches, taking 38 wickets for the county in three seasons. As a Scottish internationalist, he has played 31 one-day internationals and six Twenty20 matches, accumulating 44 wickets.
Meanwhile, Saltires star Qasim Sheikh has become the first Scots-born player to land a professional deal in Pakistan. The Clydesdale left-hander will head to Karachi next month to play for the Customs Club.
The full article contains 393 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
