Australia lost the ODI series 1-2 but won the one-off T20I in Lahore. McDonald has coached Australia on several tours during Langer’s four-year tenure while the former coach rested, including an ODI series in India in 2020, a five-match T20I tour of New Zealand in 2021, and a five-match home T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier this year.
“The journey so far has been particularly pleasing, and I am honoured to be given this incredible opportunity for what is an exciting period ahead,” McDonald said.
“The success of the World Cup, the Ashes Series and now Pakistan has been testament to the hard work and leadership of Justin, Pat and Aaron [Finch] along with the players and the support staff.
“My plan is to build on the growth, depth and experience of the squad while working collectively with the group and across the game. There are many challenges in the short-term which I know excites the leadership group, the players and the staff. I’d also like to thank my family for their support.”
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McDonald has vast coaching experience having coached Victoria and Melbourne Renegades to four Australian domestic titles, including completing the Sheffield Shield, Marsh Cup and BBL treble in the same season in 2018-19. He has also been head coach of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and was hired as head coach of Birmingham Phoenix for the inaugural Hundred but was unable to coach in person due to Australia commitments.
CA did conduct a global search for a new men’s coach following the departure of Langer via a recruitment firm but McDonald’s popularity with the playing group and the team’s recent results made him an obvious choice.
CA did not want to split the men’s job along format lines with McDonald to be the head coach of all three formats.
But given Australia’s heavy touring schedule over the next 18 months including an away Test tour of Sri Lanka, a home T20 World Cup, home Test series against West Indies and South Africa, an away Test series against India, a possible World Test Championship final, an away Ashes and a 50-over World Cup in India, McDonald will need a coaching structure that allows for him and his assistants to be rested for certain periods.
Under such a scenario a senior assistant could well take charge of certain tours or sections of tours that are viewed as lower priority series during that time, and consultants may be used more frequently as was seen when former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori joined Australia’s limited-overs squad in Pakistan as a spin consultant in the absence of Sridharan Sriram.
CA’s General Manager of High Performance and National Teams Ben Oliver confirmed that opportunities would be given to assistants when McDonald needs to rest from certain tours.
“Andrew has been appointed as Head Coach in all formats, although some white-ball series may be led by an assistant given the significant workload ahead and the opportunity to continue to develop our coaches and players,” Oliver said.
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo
Source: ESPN Crickinfo