Australia’s apex cricket body on Wednesday appointed Andrew McDonald as the national coach, two months after the sudden departure of Justin Langer. McDonald, 40, secured a four-year contract at the top after winning praise for his performance as interim coach, as Langer’s sudden resignation on 5 February rocked the cricketing world.
He is working one of the highest-profile jobs in Australia, where cricket is an essential part of the country’s identity and team exploits have captured much of the country.
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“I am honored to be given this incredible opportunity for the exciting season ahead,” McDonald said after Cricket Australia confirmed the job.
“I plan to continue to build on the squad’s growth, depth and experience by working with the group and collectively throughout the game,” he said in a statement.
Langer left despite guiding Australia to a 4-0 Ashes win over England and the first T20 World Cup title after failing to win the public support of key players, including captain Pat Cummins.
‘We’re building a team around him as captain’ – Andrew McDonald reaffirms confidence in Aaron Finch
Langer was also credited with overhauling a toxic Australian cricket culture that led to the 2018 “sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal.
Before Langer’s departure, disgruntled players anonymously complained to the Australian media about his intense coaching style.
In contrast, limited-overs captain Aaron Finch praised former Test all-rounder McDonald’s “calm approach” in the interim job.
– ‘Great job’ –
Finch told reporters shortly after taking over McDonald’s, “He never panics about any situation or outcome – it’s all about the whole process and making sure your preparation and 100 percent attention to detail is given.” “
Cricket Australia said McDonald would be the head coach across all formats, but some white-ball series could be led by an assistant to reduce the “significant further workload”.
“I think he will do a wonderful job,” former Australia Test captain Michael Clarke said on the eve of McDonald’s appointment on Tuesday.
However, he warned Australia would be under pressure to perform with McDonald’s, who had been Langer’s assistant since 2019.
“To me, it sounds like that’s what players want, which puts extra pressure on them if they don’t perform,” Clarke said in an interview with Sky Sports Radio.
Clarke predicted that as captain, Cummins would face “extreme pressure” in particular.
“He’s fired Justin Langer, pretty much… He’s come out and said that’s what the players wanted,” Clarke said.
Cummins has denied that a player rebellion was behind Langer’s resignation, saying he had tried to show respect for “due process” by not intervening publicly to support or criticize.
McDonald, who has red hair and was essentially nicknamed Ronnie, played four Tests for Australia against South Africa with his biggest knock of 68 runs.
A right-arm fast-medium bowler and right-handed batsman, he also played for Victoria and South Australia before turning to coaching, starting as head coach with Leicestershire in 2014.
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