Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur has been sacked by Cricket Australia, a fortnight out from the Ashes series.
Arthur’s contract was due to run until March 2015 following the Cricket World Cup, but reports are that Cricket Australia (CA) have taken the extraordinary step of removing him over the weekend, ahead of the First Test against England on July 10.
CA is neither confirming nor denying the sacking, but have released a short statement as follows:
“Cricket Australia will hold a media conference with (CEO) James Sutherland and (team performance manager) Pat Howard in Bristol (UK) tonight (9pm AEST Australian time) to discuss the coaching structure of the Australian team.”
Malcolm Conn has reported for News Limited that Lehmann will replace Arthur at the helm, which has further cemented speculation about Boof’s presumed tenure.
Darren ‘Boof’ Lehmann has garnered much support during his successful tenure as Queensland coach, and has just completed a tour as coach of Australia A in England. Lehmann is still in England, and The Roar expects him to be announced as coach tonight.
More to come.
riccardo
Guest
Boof is made of sterner stuff Johnno; much in the mould of Hooksey. Nevermind their comedic demeanour. He won't take the schoolgirl shennanigans that have surrounded this team since their fall from grace. And he will demand better selections as he comes to grips with the job. He may even galvanise this team into a pretty decent showing in the upcoming battle; he knows how to preserve his wicket.
riccardo
Guest
Kirsten may have finished the job but it was Wright that started that journey. And I'm not sure that position is as relevant in Australia as it would be anywhere else. In order for a Coach's philosophies to resonate with the players it appears being one of you has advantages, not least from a respect point of view. Look at the Wallabies under Deans. He is pilloried on this site, not least because he is a Kiwi. But then there are several eminent rugby sides coached by Kiwis round the world and one of them is in your country now. Dwyer has called him a cheat because... he's a Kiwi. Now reverse the situation; one of New Zealand Cricket's most successful phases (or least painful) was under one of your's, Steve Rixon.
david kenny
Roar Rookie
Cricket Australia The Gift that Keeps on Giving
Rob G
Guest
No ponting was a selector before argus.
Sydney Kiwi
Guest
I think more changes will happen once the Ashes double header is over regardless of result, only reason Arthur is gone as he has an immediate impact on performance.
MervUK
Guest
Indeed matt, that was a pretty reprehensible comment
matt h
Guest
I wonder if the last straw was Mickey virtually implying that poor Dave Warner was just a victim of the big bad British media. Sutherland was pretty cranky about Warner's "disgusting" behavior and about the players being out drinking at that time anyway, so Mickey's comments may have tipped him over the edge
MervUK
Guest
Night of the long knives, well it's night where I am. I don't think it's over yet.... Reckon they're gonna announce clarke's back has gone and he's out of the series, or he's being removed as captain... Can't wait, what a mess
John Edgar
Guest
Good move, really glad to see Lehman as the new coach, well done CA
Johnno
Guest
Ding Dong the witch is dead, bye Mickey;not before time. No team harmony, a deadwood captain as selector and not defending his men. Stop importing coaches for any Aussie sports side.
Red Kev
Guest
WOOT!
JGK
Roar Guru
It get's better - Clarke has resigned as a selector.
JGK
Roar Guru
I guess we know how you'll voting in the election then Cameron.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Nice one.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I see where you're both coming from Andy and Sheek, but I'm sorry, I can't stomach someone in the most senior position who openly admits to lying to the Australian public as the right course of action.
Jo M
Guest
I agree, but the captain was only made a selector because the Argus review recommended it. Three former captains were interviewed, Border, Taylor and ?? can't remember, and all said that the captain should have a say in selections.
Showbags
Guest
Boof can really mould this team and use the backs against the wall type of siege mentality that Australian teams have thrived upon for many years. I've never seen an Australian team been written off completely before in all my life and I think that could actually be a minor blessing as there are zero expectations on this team (10-0 is being bandied around). From what I've heard about Boof he knows about how to create a great atmosphere in the locker room. That is the first thing that needs to be done. If Cricket Australia are smart they will remove selection duties from Boof and Clarke immediately. That is the biggest mistake that came out of the Argus Review imo and has been a catalyst for a lot of the problems that have been going on behind the scenes.
OldManEmu
Guest
Right so it is all Micky Arthur's fault. Glad we sorted that out. But what of who appointed him?
Col
Guest
Maybe there was a fair bit of truth in the "Warner/Root attempted cover up" story....
wisey_9
Roar Guru
When Warner was getting his slap on the wrists a week or two ago, Sutherland came out and said it would be very unlikely that he would play the First Test given that he would not play any cricket up to that point. I'd think you can pen in Rogers and Cowan at the top of the order.