Managing workload is key: Andrew McDonald looking forward to strenous months ahead as full time coach

After a successful tenure as the interim head coach of the Australian men’s team, Andrew McDonald has been appointed as the head coach in the run-up to the ICC T20 World Cup. McDonald, who took over after Justin Langer’s shock resignation in February is well travelled and has helped the Kangaroos clinch their first series in Asia in 11 years.

The 40-year-old had been serving as an assistant to Langer since 2019 and proved his credentials in the series against Pakistan where Australia beat the odds of dead pitches to win the Test series 1-0. Under McDonald’s tutelage, Australia won two out of the three formats to establish themselves as a strong multi-format contender in the run-up to a very busy season in the next two years.

Speaking about the appointment, the former allrounder said that his focus will be on managing the workload in his four-year contract..

“The great challenge for coaches and players is to manage your workload across the four years,” McDonald was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia on Wednesday.

He put the onus on the current coaches and the management that they can step-up whenever necessary to tackle the unique conditions handed to them across the world.

“I’d like to think I have the coaching staff to step-up, and we can elevate certain coaches at different times to take on different tours and different challenges.

“While doing that it’s only growing the depth of our coaching staffcoaches will get exposed along the journey to help out the workload which is quite significant for a head coach.”

The Australian head coach drama took an ugly turn around India’s historic win Down Under when reports flew about the souring relationship of Justin Langer with key members of the leadership group.

Langer’s shock announcement after winning the Ashes series forced Cricket Australia’s hand, and with the T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup scheduled in the next two years, they did not waste much time in making their plans final.

OUTSTANDING HEAD COACH

Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley sounded elated after the announcement called Mcdonald’s approach ‘impressive’ and ‘exciting’, two words that have become rare in Australian management in the recent past.

“Andrew has already shown he is an outstanding head coach and the vision he outlined for the role during the appointment process was both impressive and exciting, making him our clear choice.

“We are proud of the way the team played and the respect shown throughout the tour of Pakistan under the leadership of Andrew, Pat (Cummins) and Aaron (Finch) and really pleased Andrew is taking on the role permanently.”

McDonald will be key for the men’s team as they begin their preparations to defend the T20 World Cup. Before that, the team will head to Sri Lanka for a 5-ODI and a 2-match Test series where they will look to fine-tune the white ball squad and strengthen their position in the World Test Championship points table.