Giles handed coaching role with England

LONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Former test bowler Ashley Giles will join England's Performance Programme as spin coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said today The 34-year-old left-armer, part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, will work with England's promising spin bowlers in India during the four-week training camp.

''I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of working with the players involved in the EPP,'' Giles, who had to retire this year because of chronic hip problems, said in a statement.

''It's exciting to be so hands-on in a coaching role.'' The EPP squad, which provides top class support for the main squad which is in Sri Lanka for a test series, departs for India tomorrow.

REUTERS RAR VC2340