Despite big names like Dennis Lillie, Richard Hadlee, Allan Donald and Darren Gough eyeing the job, lesser-known Kevin Shine, who never made it to the highest level, shone brightest to replace Trevor Cooley as the new England bowling coach.
"To get this role is a massive, massive honour. It's a huge challenge and I can't wait to get going with it," said Shine, who will guide the likes of Andrew Flintoff, Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and Simon Jones in India.
The former Somerset academy director, who steps into Cooley's shoes during the India tour, is quite impressed with the incumbent Aussie's methods and does not foresee a great change in the set-up when he takes over.
"He is a world-class coach," the 36-year-old said of Cooley and added, "I agree with his methods and have learnt a lot. I wouldn't think I'll be massively different but I'm sure I'll bring something different to the party."
That he never played at the international level does not have any bearing on his mind and the former Somerset and Middlesex pacer feels that he was equipped enough to survive at the highest level.
"When you look at coaches around the world -- and Troy is a case in point -- people like David Leadbetter, the top golf coach, haven't always played at the top level, well coaching cricket is no different.
"Having played professionally is an advantage but not having played internationally is not an issue at all," he told BBC Sports.
Shine will join the England team in India on March 13 and could be involved during the third Test and the one-day international series.
(UNI)
