Donald: I'll get the venom back into Harmison

The former South Africa Test star arrives in the country this weekend to begin a short-term contract with the ECB, and admits he would relish a permanent role in the England set-up.

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Donald, nicknamed 'White Lightning' in his playing days, was known for his ferocity with the ball, and he believes that is something England have been sorely lacking since their Ashes triumph over Australia two years ago.

"England have had lots of problems since winning the Ashes in 2005," he said.

"Their intensity was the key to that series. But it's been lost and the real venom they had then has gone from England's bowling attack.

"The Australian batsmen had not come up against an attack that pressurised them with such pace and aggression.

"England were desperate to win and I was really surprised they lost their venom so quickly.

"As soon as the Ashes ended they took their foot off the gas and instead of becoming the number one team in the world they stagnated.

"I compare it to England wining the rugby World Cup. They were too busy patting themselves on the back rather than moving up another level." That regression has been epitomised by the decline of Steve Harmison, who has gone from the world's most feared pace bowler to a fragile shadow of his former self in just a few years.

And Donald claims that coaxing the best out of the Durham seamer will be top of his agenda during his time alongside bowling coach Kevin Shine.

"Obviously [new England coach] Peter Moores is concerned his main strike bowler is not hacking it right now," Donald said.

"It is a real concern - even if I was encouraged when watching Harmison at Headingley.

"He showed how he lifts the team when he gets a few wickets but we need him to start doing that in his opening spell.

"He needs more miles in his legs and some words in his ear about how good he is. I'm convinced that by the time India arrive in July he'll be firing."

He added: He's been bowling well again for Durham but there are still doubts in his head at the highest level."

In typically confident style, Donald is in no doubt that he is the man to inspire England's bowlers back to their former glories. "At this level of coaching you need to know how to manage your bowlers and, most of all, how to motivate and inspire them," he said. "I can do this with England."