Cricket Australia remodels coaching structure

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This was published 4 years ago

Cricket Australia remodels coaching structure

By Andrew Wu

Cricket Australia have adopted a new coaching model for the national men's team, which will see the roles of bowling and fielding coaches absorbed within the reshaped set up.

In a major change to the former structure, CA's new boss of national teams, Ben Oliver has opted for a more fluid system, which allows for personnel to come into Justin Langer's coaching team when needed.

As part of his duties as the senior assistant to Langer, Andrew McDonald, a former all-rounder who claimed 201 first-class wickets at just under 29, is to take over the bowling portfolio formerly held by David Saker when he starts in the first Test next week.

Former West Indies and South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson had been in the mix to be the permanent bowling coach.

CA feel that a benefit of the system adopted by Oliver and Langer is that coaches are not limited by their roles as they would be if they had a designated title.

"We have a core group of coaches who operate across all formats and who, together with Tim [Paine] and Aaron [Finch], are leading the direction, strategy and culture of our men's team," Oliver said.

"Our aim is to complement this group and provide the best possible support for players through additional expertise based on a range of variables that could include format, conditions, specialist skill areas or other needs as required."

Cricket Australia's EGM of national teams, Ben Oliver, is adopting a more fluid system for the national men's team.

Cricket Australia's EGM of national teams, Ben Oliver, is adopting a more fluid system for the national men's team.Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

CA have used a number of different coaches, all from within Australian ranks, to fill the fast bowling post, which was vacated by Saker when he quit at the end of the Test series against Sri Lanka.

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Tasmania's Adam Griffith was Australia's bowling coach for the World Cup before Troy Cooley, the National Cricket Centre's head coach who was formerly England's pace mentor, took over for the Ashes.

Former Test paceman Ryan Harris, who also coaches at the NCC in Brisbane, stepped in for the recent T20 series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Langer invited legends Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh to perform mentoring roles during this year's World Cup and Ashes respectively, while Michael Hussey stepped in for recent T20 series.

"We're also very keen to connect state coaches with the national program where there's opportunity and mutual benefit," Oliver said.

"Adam Griffith joining the team for the World Cup during the winter was a great example of this.

"Ultimately, we want to provide our men's and women's teams with the best possible support and this is simply about bringing in fresh energy, different perspectives and specialist knowledge to complement our key leaders."

The role of selector is the final key post to be filled by Oliver, who stepped into his job as the head of national teams in late July.

CA is aiming to have the replacement for Greg Chappell in place before the first Test against Pakistan starting Thursday week.

Former Australia limited-overs skipper George Bailey and Sheffield Shield stalwart Michael Klinger are both in the running as is a current Big Bash League coach.

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