Former Test cricketer Robert Croft joins England's coaching staff for South Africa ODIs

Former England and Glamorgan all-rounder Robert Croft has been appointed as a spin bowling consultant to the England one-day side. The 45-year-old retired off-spinner is to spend 12 days with the limited-overs team in South Africa.

Croft – who played 21 Test and 50 ODIs during his England career – has moved into coaching since his retirement in 2012 and is currently with Glamorgan, having previously worked with the England Performance Squad.

"Robert has had success in both domestic and international cricket during his career and he'll have plenty to offer the dressing room," director of England cricket Andrew Strauss said, according to the BBC. "It's an opportunity for players and coaches to exchange different ideas which is so important particularly at this stage in the side's development.

"He has worked with our performance programme in the past and has proved a popular and valuable addition, and I've no doubt this group of players will also gain a lot from his involvement. I'm sure he'll return with ideas that Glamorgan will benefit from as they prepare for the coming season."

Croft hopes to complete his Level 4 coaching qualification in 2016 and sees the appointment as an important milestone in his new career. "It's extra experience for me and if the opportunity presents itself to help the lads I will," he said. "I'm there to observe and primarily be a sounding board for the spin bowlers, but will give any additional help as required.

"It is another opportunity to increase my coaching experience. The November before last I was invited out to work with Andy Flower with the development squad in Sri Lanka and this time it's the full squad in South Africa. I'm looking forward to meeting up with two excellent coaches with different styles in Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace and to absorbing their ideas.

"It is always good to have an open mind in the profession you are involved with, you can learn every day, so I hope to pick up things that will help me be a better coach."

In his new role, Croft will work specifically with Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. The first ODI in the five-match series between England and South Africa will take place in Bloemfontein on 3 February.