Former South African captain Kepler Wessels is set to play a pivotal role in Eastern Province cricket, the EP Cricket Board president Ronnie Pillay announced on Friday.

In announcing the development, Pillay outlined Wessels's role in EP Cricket and expressed delight at the positive and constructive way forward that has been found.

Wessels has been appointed as a High Performance Consultant to the EP Cricket Board's Professional Cricket Portfolio. It will be expected of him to concentrate on supporting the A-side coach's endeavours to improve the individual skills of players and also work with the coach and squad in developing season strategies and match tactics. His appointment is with immediate effect.

In addition to the above, Wessels will be expected to support the B-team and the Academy coaching activities and identify talent. With regard to the non-coaching activities of the Professional Portfolio Committee, Wessels will be involved in player planning and the selection process.

The assistance with management of practices forms part of Wessel's core responsibilities. He will also assist the coach and captain to develop season strategies and match tactics aimed at giving the Jumbos that very necessary competitive edge.

EPCB Chief Executive Officer, Dave Emslie was extremely positive about the announcement and made it clear that both he and Wessels had put the past behind them. "There has never been any doubt in my mind that a positive Kepler Wessels is a positive to EP Cricket. Kepler's role is a new one for the province and given the quality of people like coach Adi Birrell and captain Carl Bradfield he will be working with, I believe Kepler can be an extremely positive catalyst for a successful future.

"EP Cricket is for ever trying to find ways to improve the system and creating a positive environment for our players. Kepler in his new role will undoubtedly add value to the team and individual players and I unreservedly support his return to EP Cricket," said Emslie.

The chairperson of the Professional Cricket Portfolio Committee, Richard Dolley, welcomed the appointment. He said the involvement of a respected international player as a high performance advisor is the right move. "Cricket in our province will benefit from Kepler's experience."

EP coach Adi Birrell said he is exited about the new development because he feels Kepler has a huge amount of cricketing knowledge that will benefit not only the players, but also himself. "I cannot wait to get started."

Wessels said he is looking forward to working with Adi Birrell, Dave Emslie and captain Carl Bradfield. "It is my intention to utilize my experience to enhance a close working relationship with EP Cricket. I want to thank Ronnie Pillay, Rajan Moodaley and the EP Cricket Board for the faith and the confidence they have shown in me. Together we can take EP to be the top province in provincial cricket."

For more information, phone Ronel Dawson on 0824960773.

© EPCB