Saker named Australia's new assistant coach

David Saker has been named as Australia's new full-time assistant coach, taking over the role vacated by Craig McDermott earlier this year. Saker, who served as England's bowling coach from 2010 to 2015, is also expected to step in as Australia's acting head coach at some point next year to give Darren Lehmann a break, as occurred when Justin Langer stood in during the recent tri-series in the Caribbean.

Saker's appointment means Victoria will now be searching for a new head coach, after he took Victoria to the Sheffield Shield title in 2015-16, his only season in the role. South African great Allan Donald is acting as Australia's bowling coach during the tour of Sri Lanka, which has just begun, and Saker will take over in time for the one-day tour of South Africa in September-October.

"David's experience working around the world with international teams will be invaluable, especially as we work toward the upcoming Indian Test series and the Ashes," Lehmann said. "His technical expertise in all facets of the game is a real bonus and very important when working with the young group we have.

"We spoke with a lot of people about this role and really took our time deciding what direction we wanted to go. David's appointment gives us good clarity in our senior coaching group. What impressed me most about David was his vision of where he is heading as a coach and also where he wants to take our young group of bowlers and players.

"He and I have always had robust discussions about the good of Australian cricket, he is passionate and I appreciate that. I love his attitude and he will bring great energy to our group."

Those "robust discussions" might have taken place behind closed doors, but spilled into the public arena on a couple of occasions last year. In October, Saker said he believed Victoria fast bowler James Pattinson was not yet ready for a return to Test cricket, which prompted Lehmann to suggest that: "David Saker should concentrate on coaching Victoria and leave us to pick the side for Australia".

Later in the summer, Saker said during a radio interview that it was "ridiculous" that the selectors had chosen Nathan Coulter-Nile in the squad for the Hobart Test against West Indies, when he had not played a first-class match since the previous season. But now, Saker will find himself working within the Australian camp.

"David has had proven success with Victoria in the short time he has held the role, as well as success on the international stage, and that was a key part of the recruitment process," Pat Howard, the Cricket Australia general manager of team performance, said.

"It's a testament to the success of our coaching pathway program in Australia, that Justin Langer and David have been elevated from within the system to senior roles in the Australian cricket team. The fact that David has been a head coach previously, also gives us an option should Darren be absent or need a break from touring. We anticipate he will lead the Australian team at some stage during 2017."

Saker, 50, played 72 first-class matches for Tasmania and Victoria during the 1990s and 2000s, taking 247 wickets at 30.10. As England's bowling coach, he was part of one of the country's most successful eras, during which they won their first Ashes series in Australia for 24 years, and collected the World T20 trophy in 2010.

"The opportunity to work with Australia's best cricketers and coaches is one that I simply couldn't pass up and I am incredibly excited," Saker said. "With two day-night Tests against South Africa and Pakistan this summer, it's a great time to enter the Australian set-up.

"Having reflected on the role and spoken to my family, I feel that it is the next logical career step for me and that I can add more value at the national level, particularly next year with the ICC Champions Trophy in the UK and when England tour for the 2017-18 Ashes.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed the past year with the Bushrangers and will miss the squad, especially as we managed to retain the Sheffield Shield. I have no doubt I'll still be regular contact with many of the players I've coached when they play at the national level."