"Personality and enthusiasm": Darren Gough ready to make an impression as England bowling consultant

The Yorkshireman has been enlisted for the build-up to the two-Test tour of New Zealand in November but has promised not to rock the boat

Darren Gough believes his infectious personality is central to England's decision to appoint him as a bowling consultant ahead of the Test series against New Zealand.

The Yorkshireman will work with the bowling attack between November 5 and November 18, prior to the first match starting in Tauranga two days later.

Gough took 229 wickets during his England Test career and comes in after old friend Chris Silverwood was promoted to the head coach position from his role as bowling lead.

"Energy, enthusiasm, personality and fresh ideas," said the 49-year-old - who worked briefly with the team in 2017 - when asked by Sky Sports what he can offer this winter. "Someone who's not been around as a coach on the county circuit for a long, long time.

"I've kept in touch with the game from afar and got back in close last year, watching England up close and chatting to the bowlers on occasions.

"It won't be for anything I can do technically, I'm there for two weeks, so I am not going to go in and destroy all the great work some of the coaches have done on the county scene with the likes of Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad and Saqib Mahmood at Lancashire.

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"It's about in-game management, setting fields and plans to batsmen. My personality and enthusiasm, I think that's why they've got me involved."

Since hanging up his bowling boots, Gough has appeared on Strictly Come Dancing and occupied a major media role.

Most recently he has worked for radio station Talksport during their coverage of England's recent overseas tours of Sri Lanka and West Indies, and is expected to be part of the commentary team for the South Africa series which the broadcaster also have rights to cover.

Having pulled no punches while occupying that role, Gough is unwilling to change but is committed to helping the team improve.

"No. I will always continue to be that way," he added.

"That's why they want me, they know I'm not going to just say stuff for ticking a box. I'll say stuff if it means something to me or if I think it'll make a difference.

"My passion for English cricket will always be there. Sometimes I can cross over the line but I want all these guys to do really well. They've seen that, they know I'm passionate and I won't just say things for a headline, I'll say them because I mean it.

"I won't take back anything I've said, whether it be in a newspaper interview or on the radio, and they know that.

"I want them to improve and I want them to be the No.1 team in the world. If two weeks of Darren Gough can help in any way whatsoever, even one per cent, then so be it. I'm willing to take that chance."

Following the conclusion of the five-match T20 international series which starts in Christchurch on Friday, England face the Kiwis in the first Test starting on November 20 before final clash of the tour in Hamilton starting on November 28.

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