Seeing Steve Harmison storming in with real pace and venom during the West Indies series was a great sight for England cricket fans.
Harmison couldn't find his brutal form of the 2005 Ashes series, and was still inconsistent at times, but knowing that a bowling genius such as Allan Donald will be working through the summer with the erratic pace man, makes his future suddenly brighter.
The 40-year-old former South Africa fast bowler was first hired by new England coach Peter Moores to oversee the seamers for a few weeks.
But everything has gone so well the deal has now been extended through the Tests and the NatWest series against India and on until the end of Twenty20 World Cup here in his home country.
"I've greatly enjoyed my time working with the England fast bowlers and am delighted to be staying on in the role until September," smiled Donald when the new deal was announced. "We have an exciting crop of bowlers in the England ranks and I'm looking forward to continue working with them."
Donald believes the vast experience he gained in 72 Tests and 164 one-day internationals can certainly help Harmison and the rest of England's inconsistent pace-men.
"I've asked the technical guys to put together some comparisons from when he was bowling well, right up until now," explains Donald, as he dissects Harmison's action. "At this stage I am just going to observe and take it from there.
"I was a rhythm bowler and I see Harmy as a rhythm bowler as well.
"Sometimes, if there is something missing in your action, it just won't click.
"I am convinced that, as the season goes on, it won't take him long to get back to his best. It's not that he is out of form right now, it's just that every now and again he has been a little bit inconsistent," said Donald, who finished his career with 330 Test wickets and 272 one-day international victims.
"He is a quality, world-class bowler and some high-class players who have faced him have spoken very highly of him, so there is no problem - he will be back."
Donald's appointment has been greeted with delight by critics and former England stars desperate to see their potent weapon renewed.
"Donald has heaps of experience, and his appointment appears to be a shrewd one," says former England captain David Gower. "He should certainly have no difficulty in presenting his credentials to Steve Harmison, Liam Plunkett et al, and they should find it easy enough to respond.
"The bowling department has suffered an inordinate number of injuries since the 2005 Ashes, and that has been the single biggest problem for England.
"The team as a whole has lost focus during the past two years and it is only now, with a new regime in its early days, that things seem to be headed in the right direction again.
"Donald could well be the man to get the bowlers back on track. I hope it works out for him and for the team and that he will be around for some time."
- Copyright PA Sport 2007
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