Warwickshire turn to Matt Mason for bowling coach role

Mason, who is currently an assistant coach with Western Australia, enjoyed a long career as a player at Worcestershire before spending spells both there and at Leicestershire as a coach

Matt Mason is set to be named as Warwickshire's new bowling coach.

Mason, who is currently an assistant coach with Western Australia, enjoyed a long career as a player at Worcestershire before spending spells both there and at Leicestershire as a coach.

Among the candidates he is understood to have beaten to the Warwickshire role are Allan Donald, Dale Steyn, Donovan Miller and Courtney Walsh.

Warwickshire have been looking to bolster their coaching in the bowling department since the departure of Graeme Welch earlier in the off-season.

^{Matt Mason, left, has been working with Western Australia}

Welch, a hugely respected figure in the industry, moved to become bowling coach at Hampshire. 

The county champions are understood to be close to another coaching appointment, which could come as soon as next week.

The club's director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, recently turned down the opportunity to return to Sri Lanka as Mickey Arthur's replacement as head coach.

Warwickshire also remain confident that Dan Ashworth - the scouting and recruitment expert brought into the club in an advisory capacity last year - will be able to continue in his role despite being set for the sporting director job at Newcastle United.

Ashworth left his position at Brighton & Hove Albion recently, but there is not currently a concern at Warwickshire that any move would mean he has to give up his duties on their cricket audit committee.