Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Tom Smith played in the T20 Blast for Gloucestershire last summer and was due to be assistant coach for them this summer but has left the club to join England
60 CommentsEngland have appointed former Gloucestershire bowler Tom Smith as their spin-bowling coach for this summer.
The former left-arm spinner joins Charlotte Edwards' coaching team for a summer that includes a home Women's T20 World Cup and series against New Zealand, India and Ireland.
England have a number of established and promising left-arm spin bowlers, including Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, Tilly Corteen-Coleman and Charis Pavely.
The 38-year-old will also work with spin-bowling all-rounders Charlie Dean, Alice Capsey and Sarah Glenn.
"I'm delighted Tom is joining us after a professional playing career spanning nearly 20 years, most notably at Gloucestershire, before moving into coaching at the same county and working with Birmingham Phoenix women," said Edwards.
"Tom is hugely respected in the game and was a vastly experienced white-ball bowler who will no doubt share some of his great knowledge."
Smith added: "The opportunity is an amazing one, and I'm incredibly excited to get started. It's shaping up to be a brilliant summer, with a home World Cup on the horizon."
England open their summer with white-ball series against New Zealand and India before the T20 World Cup begins on 12 June.
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