Andrew McDonald named Australia's senior assistant coach

Cricket Australia has announced Andrew McDonald as the Australian Men’s Team’s new Senior Assistant Coach. 

McDonald, 38, played four Tests, 95 first class matches, 100 List A games and 93 Twenty20 fixtures in a playing career which spanned 15 years. 

Upon retirement from playing, McDonald turned his focus to coaching and guided Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades to all three Australian domestic titles last season. He has nurtured the development of a number of current Australian players and has also coached in the UK and India. 

Ben Oliver, CA’s Executive General Manager of National Teams, said McDonald brought with him a wealth of cricketing experience to the role. 

“We are excited to have Andrew join the Australian Men’s Team,” Oliver said. “As a player, Andrew was an outstanding all-rounder, tactician and competitor and a popular teammate. And as a coach, he has demonstrated great leadership and enjoyed remarkable success in all formats.

“We are confident our playing group will grow under Andrew’s mentorship. We are also proud that our world-class domestic system is providing a pathway to international coaching ranks. 

“We were fortunate to have a strong list of candidates to choose from and I would personally like to thank all those who applied for the position of Senior Assistant Coach along with Cricket Victoria for their support of Andrew.” 

Justin Langer, the Head Coach, said: “Andrew complements our coaching panel perfectly. I have no doubt his all-round knowledge and man management skills will be a positive addition to our team. 

“The coaching success Andrew has enjoyed around the world in a relatively short period of time is testament to his skill, dedication and knowledge of the game. 

“He is also a wonderful competitor, which Australian fans saw first hand throughout his career with the national team, Victoria and South Australia, as well as the Renegades, Strikers and Thunder.” 

Cricket Victoria CEO Andrew Ingleton thanked McDonald and congratulated him on the appointment. 

“Naturally we’re sad to see Andrew leave after completing such a great year for Victorian cricket but we understand his desire to challenge himself at the highest level and have no doubt he will be a significant asset to the national coaching unit,” Ingleton said. 

“It’s testament to Andrew’s achievements with our teams that he has been given this opportunity.” 

Shaun Graf, Cricket Victoria’s General Manager, said McDonald had built strong foundations for the group. 

“Andrew has overseen a fantastic culture within the Victorian playing group, and to see players like Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, James Pattinson and others develop into national players is a credit to the work he has put in with them at domestic level. 

“On behalf of Cricket Victoria, I wish him well on the next phase of his coaching career.” 

McDonald’s start date with Cricket Australia will be advised in due course.