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CA, David Saker (bowling coach) part ways

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14,506

Saker joined the national team's coaching staff in 2016 under then coach Darren Lehmann and leaves after Justin Langer's first home summer at the helm.

“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," Langer said.

“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."

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David Saker is no longer Australia's bowling coach.CREDIT:pA

Troy Cooley will take over the role for the limited-overs tours of India and Pakistan but no announcement has been made on who will fill the role for the World Cup and the Ashes.

“In discussions with David about the needs of the team, and the unprecedented schedule ahead, it became clear to both of us that this was the right time for David to step away,” interim head of high performance Belinda Clark said.


“We will provide further information on the coaching structure surrounding the World Cup and Ashes in due course.

“Troy Cooley has been appointed assistant coach for the upcoming ODI series against India and Pakistan to oversee the coaching of the bowling group.

"Troy is a well-respected coach with great experience having previously worked with the English and Australian men’s teams.”

Saker quit as Victoria coach to take up the role with the national team.

"I'd like to thank Cricket Australia for the opportunity to help coach the Australian men's team over the past three seasons," Saker said.

"I've enjoyed my time with the team, in particular working closely with a great group of fast bowlers and in time will look forward to a new coaching role."

Though the Australian attack finished on a high, it was not a happy Test summer for Saker's bowlers, with the quicks coming under fire for their performance.

Former Test great Shane Warne led the criticism of senior quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who both struggled during the India series.

Starc, however, bounced back in Canberra, claiming 10 wickets in a player of the match performance, but did not praise Saker, instead publicly thanking a coach outside the CA set-up for his improvement.

"Before the Sri Lanka series, I had a really nice session with Andre Adams who is at NSW," Starc said.

"And talking to a few people quite close to me who I have worked with over recent years and putting the rest of the coaching and the other 450 coaches I've had over the past three weeks to the side, and going back to know what I know best. I am my own best coach and I know what's best for me."

Saker was publicly critical of Australia's approach during the Sydney Test, in which India declared on 622 in the first innings, saying there was "confusion" between the fast bowlers and captain Tim Paine on the first day.

Saker revealed he had given the bowlers a stern talking to at the end of the day's play.

"Last night we talked quite heavily about the day, more because we thought it was a really disappointing day and we just wanted to get our point across," he said.

"Some of it was quite aggressive and that's not like me usually.

"I was quite animated, and I know I was not the only one. JL [Langer] wasn't happy. The bowlers know that."
 

Bazal

Post Whore
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99,913
Thank god for that.....

Hopefully we can reach out to someone who understands bowling AND coaching. I wonder if Shane Bond would be keen?
 

Twizzle

Administrator
Staff member
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151,040
we agreed it’s the right time to head in a different direction in the best interests of the team," Langer said.

lol, why do they always say this ?

its just lip service and I'm sure JL has no idea what he is referring to
 

Bazal

Post Whore
Messages
99,913
Cooley is an interim replacement isn't he?

And he's a good solid coach, no doubt. But I hope they look further, Cooley is a bit of a turn back to what we've done in the past.

And not necessarily the good past
 

Matt23

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
16,495
Cooley is an interim replacement isn't he?

And he's a good solid coach, no doubt. But I hope they look further, Cooley is a bit of a turn back to what we've done in the past.

And not necessarily the good past
He's only the interim, hopefully they can find a better candidate after the next round of Mickey mouse games, Ryan Harris, Shane Bond etc...
 

JJ

Immortal
Messages
31,801
He's only the interim, hopefully they can find a better candidate after the next round of Mickey mouse games, Ryan Harris, Shane Bond etc...
Be disappointed if Bond goes to you lot... he is very good though
 

JJ

Immortal
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31,801
Him and Langer didn’t see eye to eye, he seems to wield a lot of power for a bloke who has proven nothing.
The latter point is important, Langer has s lot to prove. I don't know much about Saker but your bowlers have generally been your strength in recent times - as opposed to your batting, leadership and character :)
 

mave

Coach
Messages
13,072
Harris would be nice.
Whether JL could handle being told how it is, that's another question.
 

TheParraboy

Moderator
Staff member
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66,251
https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/cri...hes-got-my-support/ar-BBTjxJ9?ocid=spartanntp

Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has expressed his dismay at the sudden resignation of national bowling coach David Saker.

Saker vacated the role he held for three years on Thursday – just months out from the World Cup and Ashes in the UK – amid reports his relationship with head coach Justin Langer had become untenable.

Australia's bowlers endured a tough summer for the most part and there were whispers of unrest amongst the group, with Saker revealing that players and staff held "aggressive" talks about their bowling tactics during the fourth Test against India in January.

But Lyon says he and the frontline pacemen were fully behind Saker and admitted his departure was a big surprise.

"It's a shock, to be honest," Lyon, who found out about Saker's exit via a phone call, told reporters on Friday.

"Obviously, I really enjoyed working with David and I know I'm talking on behalf of all the Australian fast bowlers as well.

"It is what it is. He's got my support but I'm not part of those conversations behind closed doors, to be honest.

"So it took me by surprise and he's got my support, but we're just going to have to crack on, move on.

"[We] really make sure that we've got our bowling plans for the World Cup and Ashes, making sure they're down pat."
 

Matt23

Moderator
Staff member
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16,495
Apparently the fact that Starc went to the NSW bowling coach (Andre Adams) for advice and not him was the final straw...
 
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