Craig McDermott quits as bowling coach

Craig McDermott has stepped down as Cricket Australia’s bowling coach, citing the national team’s heavy touring schedule.

The former Test quick has received rave reviews in recent months for his work with Australia’s bowling attack, allowing pacemen such as Ben Hilfenhaus to rediscover their best form.

“It has been a very difficult decision to leave my position as the bowling coach of the Australian cricket team, a job I have thoroughly enjoyed since beginning 12 months ago,” McDermott said.

“However the team’s schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view.

“It has been a great honour to work with our most exciting bowlers over this period and we have achieved much success.

“The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of.”

McDermott will provide input to CA’s Centre of Excellence in Brisbane.

He said he wanted to continue his coaching career and was pursuing options which allowed him further flexibility.

“I will be looking to explore a range of options,” he said.

“I am certainly not ruling out being involved with the Australian cricket team in the future should that fit within the team’s requirements.”

Head coach Mickey Arthur said McDermott had done an outstanding job and would be hard to replace.

“We completely understand and respect Craig’s decision. The international schedule is a particularly busy one and family must always come first,” Arthur said.