SYDNEY, April 13, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Australia's top cricket body appointed
Andrew McDonald as national coach on Wednesday, two months after the shock
departure of Justin Langer.

   McDonald, 40, secured a four-year contract in the top position after
winning praise for his performance as interim coach since Langer's abrupt
resignation on February 5 shook the cricket world.

   He is taking on one of the highest-profile jobs in Australia, where
cricket is an essential part of the country's identity and the team's
exploits grip much of the nation.

   "I am honoured to be given this incredible opportunity for what is an
exciting period ahead," McDonald said after being confirmed in the job by
Cricket Australia.

   "My plan is to build on the growth, depth and experience of the squad
while working collectively with the group and across the game," he said in a
statement.

   Langer left after failing to win the public support of key players
including captain Pat Cummins, despite guiding Australia to a 4-0 Ashes
victory over archrivals England and a maiden T20 World Cup title.

   Langer was also credited with overhauling a toxic Australian cricketing
culture that led to the 2018 "Sandpaper-gate" ball-tampering scandal.

   In the run-up to Langer's departure, disgruntled players had complained
anonymously to Australian media about his intense coaching style.

   By contrast, limited overs captain Aaron Finch praised former Test
allrounder McDonald's "calm approach" in the interim job.

   - 'Fantastic job' -

   "He never seems to get flustered by any situation or result -- it's all
about the process and making sure your preparation and attention to detail is
100 percent," Finch told reporters shortly after McDonald took over.

   Cricket Australia said McDonald will be head coach in all formats but some
white ball series may be led by an assistant to alleviate the "significant
workload ahead".

   "I think he will do a fantastic job," former Australia Test captain
Michael Clarke said Tuesday on the eve of McDonald's widely anticipated
appointment.

   He warned, however, that Australia would be under pressure to perform with
McDonald, who had been an assistant to Langer since 2019.

   "To me, it looks like this is exactly what the players want, which puts
extra pressure on them if they don't perform," Clarke said in an interview
with Sky Sports Radio.

   As captain, Cummins in particular would face "extreme pressure", Clarke
predicted.

   "He's had Justin Langer sacked, pretty much... he's come out and said this
is what the players wanted," Clarke said.

   Cummins has denied that a player revolt was behind Langer's resignation,
saying he had tried to show respect for "proper process" by not intervening
publicly to support or criticise him.

   McDonald, who has red hair and was inevitably nicknamed Ronnie, played
four Tests for Australia with his biggest knock a 68 against South Africa.

   A right-arm fast-medium bowler and handy right-handed batter, he also
played for Victoria and South Australia before turning to coaching, starting
as head coach with Leicestershire in 2014.