With Cricket Australia announcing that national bowling coach Craig McDermott is finishing his time with the team after the T20 World Cup, the search to find a new bowling mentor will commence immediately.
As Steve Smith’s side continues the rapid generational change brought on follow the 2015 Ashes capitulation, choosing McDermott’s selector will play a vital role in guiding the current crop of outstanding young bowlers in and around the national side.
Recruiting a legend of the game like Glenn McGrath would be a coup for Darren Lehmann and Cricket Australia. However, the likelihood is that players like McGrath and Warne will continue to make themselves available on a consulting basis while pursuing a broad range of professional, philanthropic and reality television interests.
As it stands, there is currently no clear standout replacement for McDermott. A move to bring back to the likes of Troy Cooley would be on par with Labor bringing back Kevin Rudd prior to this year’s election.
Meanwhile, fiery Victorian coach and former speed demon David Saker has spent the summer irritating Lehmann and his fellow higher-ups with frequently niggling criticism of the national selectors.
Jason Gillespie has proven his credentials in recent years, culminating in his short-listing for the English head coaching. With his taking charge of the Adelaide Strikers, but not South Australia this summer, it appears Dizzy may prefer to split his time between the UK and Australia for the foreseeable future.
Any move to secure his services would need to be swift, perhaps with the additional carrot of consideration for the national role in a few years subtly thrown in the mix. He could certainly pitch his batting expertise in Bangladeshi conditions as evidence of his broad experience and knowledge of the game.
Although AHM have provided Brett Lee with a platform for his simple coaching tips throughout the summer of 2015-16, it is unlikely the role of bowling coach would be sufficient to lure him away from future roles as a Bollywood romantic lead or the comfort of the Channel Nine commentary box.
Perhaps put him in the McGrath/Warne mentor box at best.
Ultimately, McDermott’s successor will have big shoes to fill. Shepherding through a generation of young bowlers is crucial to the ongoing success of the Australian team moving forward.
I wish Pat Howard, James Sutherland and Lehmann every success in the search.
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