David Saker Steps Down As Australia's Assistant coach
David Saker, Australia’s assistant coach, has tendered his resignation with immediate effect. Having plied his trade with England and domestic team Victoria, Saker had joined the Australian camp in 2016. With Saker resigning, Australia have appointed Troy Cooley, former bowling coach of England and Australia, as the assistant coach for the upcoming tour of India and UAE.
Australia head coach Justin Langer thanked Saker but said that the departure is in the best interest of the team.
“David and I have had ongoing discussions over the past nine months about his role with the team, and we agreed it’s the right time to head in a different direction in the best interests of the team,” Langer said. “I’d like to thank David for his significant contribution, in particular in the role he has played in helping develop a core group of Australian pace bowlers. I wish David all the best for the next chapter in his coaching career.”
Belinda Clark, Cricket Australia’s interim general manager, said the “unprecedented schedule” in the upcoming months had a role to play in Saker’s departure.
“In discussions with David about the needs of the team, and the unprecedented schedule ahead, it became clear to both of us that this was the right time for David to step away We will provide further information on the coaching structure surrounding the World Cup and Ashes in due course,” Clark said.
Saker did a fine job with Australia’s current crop of fast bowlers, developing pacers likes Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. However, the recent turn of events suggested that not all was well within the team. Recently, Starc had credited New South Wales’ bowling coach Andre Adams for helping to arrest his poor form.
Saker, meanwhile, thanked Cricket Australia and said that he is looking forward to the break before finding a new coaching role.
“I’d like to thank Cricket Australia for the opportunity to help coach the Australian Men’s Team over the past three seasons,” Saker said. “I’ve enjoyed my time with the team, in particular working closely with a great group of fast bowlers and in time will look forward to a new coaching role.”
Australia, on the other hand, are gearing up for a busy few months. Their immediate assignment is the limited-overs tour of India before they take on Pakistan in UAE. Following that, they will fly to England for the ICC World Cup 2019 and the Ashes.
