Saker's inside knowledge

In the words of Andrew Strauss, England are 'leaving no stone unturned' in their preparation for the Ashes and their planning will be given a boost by the local knowledge of their bowling coach, the former Victoria paceman David Saker. There is talk that Saker will be lured back to Australia after the Ashes, but in the Guardian Mike Selvey finds out that there is no chance of any divided loyalties over the next two months.

Signing someone of Saker's credentials was a coup, his Australian knowledge a massive bonus, his desire for the job evident in the way he paid his own way to England for an interview rather than use a conference call. Equally evident was his subsequent delight in living here. He is an anglophile, his family enthusiastically absorbed into life, close to Stratford-upon-Avon and Flower. He loves his pubs, English ale and cricket chatter.

A transfer of allegiance, especially at this time – an Australian helping England retain the Ashes in Australia – was never a stumbling block. He sang God Save The Queen, he says, as lustily as anyone when England played Australia in the T20 final in Barbados, and not just for show. He is one of the England team in the strongest sense.