Cricket Australia (CA) is set to name Andrew McDonald as the new full-time head coach of the men’s cricket team in the coming days.
According to a report in News Corp, McDonald, who was appointed as the interim coach of the Aussie men’s cricket team after Justin Langer had stepped down following disagreement over the extension of his contract, is all set to accept the role of the new men’s head coach.
McDonald has recently returned with the side from the gruelling tour of Pakistan, which saw Australia win the three-Test series 1-0 and also take the honours in the one-off T20I. Pakistan won the three-match ODI series 2-1.
A report in sen.com.au quoting News Corp said: “It’s reported that the CA hierarchy identified McDonald as their man late last week and has since offered him the job. While the final negotiations are ongoing, it’s understood the former Australian all-rounder will take the job in the coming days.”
Earlier in February, McDonald, before beginning the tour of Pakistan, had said that he was waiting for the CA to sort out the specifics of his assignment. “I look on with interest to see where they land on that,” McDonald had said.
The report also added that CA want a coach for all three formats and McDonald has “seemingly come around to that idea”. However, given the taxing nature of the job, CA is understood to have granted “time off for specific series”, according to the report.
Notably, Langer had stepped down as Australia’s head coach earlier this year in February in controversial circumstances and since then the CA was on the hunt for a new head coach.
Meanwhile, commenting on the development at The Big Sports Breakfast on Tuesday morning, former Australia Test skipper Michael Clarke had said it as a “fantastic” appointment.
“This is exactly what the players want, there is no doubt about that,” Clarke said.
“If they don’t perform and Pat Cummins doesn’t perform now as captain, he’s going to have extreme pressure on him. He’s had Justin Langer sacked pretty much. He came out and said this is what the players wanted and he is the face of the players as captain and said we want Andrew McDonald. Everything is going their way, which is good if they’re winning but if you’re losing accountability comes with that,” he added.
On the other hand,few other reports suggested that Langer might take up England’s coaching role.