By Simon Austin

DeFreitas and Allan Donald have declared interest in the job

Former England bowler Phil DeFreitas is to apply to succeed Troy Cooley as England's bowling coach.

DeFreitas, 39, is currently working as a coach in Hong Kong after retiring from playing last September.

He told BBC Sport: "With my 21 years of cricket knowledge, playing at the highest level, I think I can contribute something to this job.

"I'm sure I can bring my vast experience and knowledge about the game, and bowling, to the party."

DeFreitas, who retired last year after 21 seasons of county cricket and 44 Tests and 103 one-day internationals for England, said he was persuaded to apply for the job by some of his former team-mates.

"I had a few emails saying I should apply, because I'd be perfect for the role," he said. "So I thought, 'why not?' I've just retired from playing first-class cricket and have played against most of the guys in the England team.

"Now I'm coaching and am really enjoying it.

"'I've worked with some wonderful coaches over the years, including Bob Woolmer (now the Pakistan coach) and I've learned quite a few things from them."

Cooley's tricks of the trade

Cooley vacates his position in May and former South Africa paceman Allan Donald has also announced his desire to succeed him.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has received "several applications" for the job, from "a mixture of backgrounds".

The Guardian claims Lancashire's current coach Mike Watkinson is also in the running, along with Somerset's Academy director and former first team coach Kevin Shine.

But one man who has failed to be tempted by the job is former Australia paceman Bruce Reid.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I had a phone call [from the ECB]. It's a difficult one because of the family and the relocation."

The closing date for applications is Friday 27 January and interviews will take place on 11 February.

The ECB is asking for the following criteria from applicants:

• high-level fast bowling coaching experience
• a good knowledge of first-class and international cricket
• a minimum coaching qualification of ECB Level III international equivalent
• extensive experience of performance-analysis systems
• a detailed knowledge of bowling biomechanics
• a sound understanding of injury prevention and conditioning for fast bowlers