Ian Bell has joined Derbyshire as batting consultant for the first two months of the county season.
The former England batter, 39, played in 118 Test matches for his country, scoring 7,727 runs at an average of 42.69, including 22 centuries and a top score of 235 against India in 2011.
He replaces Mal Loye, who has left his role as assistant coach. Loye acted as batting lead.
And Ryan Sidebottom has been signed from Warwickshire on a month’s loan.
Bell has coached Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, and England Under-19s.
“Ian’s arrival gives us a real boost,” said Derbyshire head of cricket Mickey Arthur.
“He has considerable international experience and that will help us continue to drive the standards we’ve set for the team.”
Bell, who spent his entire playing career with Warwickshire, said: “As a young coach, the opportunity to learn from one of the biggest names in the game was massive.
“Mickey has big plans for the future of Derbyshire and I’m really excited to be part of it for the next couple of months.”
Australia-born seamer Sidebottom, 32, qualifies as a domestic player and has been brought in after Ben Aitchison was sidelined by a back injury.
“Ryan is an experienced bowler and someone who can keep things tight for us to build the kind of pressure we want to see from our seamers,” said Arthur.
