Australia’s ODI World Cup and Ashes preparations have been rocked by a surprise move, after Cricket Australia announced the immediate resignation of fast bowling coach David Saker.
Interim high performance manager Belinda Clark today announced it “became clear to both of us that this was the right time for David to step away,” after discussions with Saker about “the needs of the team, and the unprecedented schedule ahead.”
“We will provide further information on the coaching structure surrounding the World Cup and Ashes in due course.”
Saker attracted controversy last month after it emerged he’d “exploded” at the side’s fast bowling contingent after a tough day against India at the SCG.
In an ESPN Cricinfo piece, Mitchell Starc raised eyebrows when he claimed he turned to NSW bowling coach Andre Adams for advice during the Sri Lanka series.
“Before the Sri Lanka series, I had a really nice session with Andre … putting the rest of the coaching and the other 450 coaches I’ve had over the past three weeks to the side.
“I am my own best coach and I know what’s best for me,” he told Cricinfo.
However, Justin Langer claimed discussions about the 52-year-old’s future had been ongoing for some time.
“David and I have had ongoing discussions over the past nine months about his role with the team, and we agreed it’s the right time to head in a different direction in the best interests of the team.”
“I’d like to thank David for his significant contribution, in particular in the role he has played in helping develop a core group of Australian pace bowlers.”
“I wish David all the best for the next chapter in his coaching career.”
Saker played nine seasons in first-class domestic Australian cricket, playing the majority of his career with Victoria before finishing up at Tasmania.
His role as fast bowling coach for England was regarded as pivotal in their 2010-11 Ashes triumph, before he returned to Australia in 2015 to coach the Melbourne Renegades and eventually end up with the national role in 2016.
Troy Cooley has been announced as his replacement for the upcoming ODI series against India and Pakistan.
Paul
Roar Guru
Another review would be kind of "after the horse has bolted", don't you think, given most of the problem guys have moved on? I reckon the dinosaurs in the CA setup from the Sutherland/Peever days are the 2 remaining selectors. Get them to move on and give Roberts and co a chance to make good, THEN bring in Kenny to do a Post Implementation Review, say March 2020.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
As Ken Hayne wrote in his report on banking et al; “Well, derr”. Speaking of Kenny… He’s free now and probably looking for a job, QCs being notoriously underpaid, especially when chairing Royal Commissions, so perhaps we could get him to do a review of CA?
john
Guest
you know there is a problem when Waugh and Ponting are targeted as Mentors. Waugh and Ponting were the biggest mental disintegrators of all time, now people expect them to talk elite honesty?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I wished I'd thought of that!
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
‘Elite’ honesty is a knee-jerk reaction to a misdemeanor of a one or two. Tbc, I’m not referring to any concpiracy theory, just people’s honesty. Again honesty doesn’t need an adjective. —- And casting aspersions on one’s appreciation of life is a low-brow assertion. My suggestion is don’t jump to delusions!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
"Elite honesty" as a phrase has been hijacked as a cliche and used by cynics as a weapon of mass grumbling. Certainly not the language of youth. They do not take the words of adults and deliberately misuse them in a way they weren't intended. That's an adult dishonesty.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Teenage cricket fans have absolutely no interest in the conspiracy theories surrounding selection. It is not in their conversation. This is a conversation only driven by adults disappointed with life.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Honesty is honesty. Teenage cricket fans will see this as fake. What are we fostering?
Paul
Roar Guru
Ah, but the commoners are buying a product being sold by the employer. If we're not satisfied with any aspect of that product, including the honesty of the employer, we stop buying in.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Because the commoners aren't paying the salaries.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Frustrating but understandable. In war, the first beneficiaries are lawyers…
Gee
Roar Rookie
Good news, that 8th stump line rubbish they dished up to India deserves some "resignations".
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Much like your comment just then Shouty JOHN!!!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Nup. I don't know why so many of you feel you are owed an explanation. So many will straight away reject the explanation anyway. It is how you are wired. Just pay money and turn up to a game or don't. You have no input and no right to an input as to who is going to be playing in that game. Leave that to those whose task it is and be a spectator.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
What could Saker have possibly offered? His greatest skill when he played was the sledge followed by the stare and the mouthful. Ryan Harris!
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Like Raelene Castle, Belinda Clark "speaks with a mouthful of marbles". Gives a 100 word "explanation" why somebody is stepping down but actually says nothing. Must have been a politician or company CEO in a previous life.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I reckon they shouldn’t mince words either. Saker now has to explain what all those weasel words mean. —– I thought they wanted elite honesty!
Cigar Field Sobers
Roar Rookie
And yet Bott, amongst the carnage and impatient, woeful batting of recent times, Hick has managed to remain unaffected as the alleged batting coach. Probably should have been one of the first brought to task. Maybe Langer remembers the last time Australia had such a long slump, HE was the batting coach...
Matt H
Roar Guru
As someone who has spent some time at the Fair Work Commission trying to defend an employer's comments on an employee dismissal, I can well see why you never get anything out of these statements
Paul
Roar Guru
You're clearly having a lend. What's gossip got to do with it, I'm asking them to be truthful. And why do they have to protect an outgoing employees reputation? If a person's hired to do a particular task and doesn't do it to the satisfaction of the employer, or for example, brings the game into disrepute and is sacked, why shouldn't that be common knowledge?