^^^
Cricket Australia is reportedly ready to announce Andrew McDonald as Justin Langer’s official replacement after reaching an agreement.
McDonald has been linked to the top job ever since he took up the position as interim head coach following Langer’s shock resignation in a storm of controversy.
The Daily Telegraph reports McDonald is ready to accept the job after it was offered to him earlier this week.
The report claims Cricket Australia will confirm the appointment in an announcement in 24-48 hours.
Cricket journalist Malcolm Conn posted on Twitter the announcement is “imminent”.
It was recently reported McDonald was the front-runner for the job despite Cricket Australia conducting an extensive hiring process which involved an international recruitment firm.
According to reports, talks between McDonald and Cricket Australia were put on hold during Australia’s test series win over Pakistan last month.
Australia interim head coach Andrew McDonald. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.
He confirmed last week that he was interested in taking up the head coach position.
He told nospam47.com, he still wanted to see how the position would be structured before making a final decision on putting his hand up.
“Do I want the job? It depends on what it looks like, how Cricket Australia see the job unfolding and I will probably get more detail and clarity moving forward,” he said, according to
nospam47.com.
“Once the process is done I am happy to talk about what I think the job should look like if I do have the job or don’t have the job, that’s something for later on down the track.”
McDonald has previously been endorsed by several players as Langer’s successor.
The
News Corp report indicated assistant coach Michael Di Venuto could take over and lead Australia in limited overs tours overseas.
Former Australia cricket coach Justin Langer. Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images.
Both ODI captain Aaron Finch and test captain Pat Cummins have shown public support for McDonald — something they never did for Langer.
The former coach earlier this month reportedly put his hand up to coaching England.
Langer famously resigned from the Aussie cricket team in February after a token six-month contract extension offer following a player mutiny.
Under his tenure, Australia retained the Ashes in England for the first time since 2001, claimed the nation’s first T20 World Cup title and thrashed England 4-0 at home this summer.
www.news.com.au
