Andrew McDonald Archives

Australia head coach optimistic for Mitchell Starc’s fitness for final India Test

Australia coach Andrew McDonald on Tuesday said he was optimistic that pace spearhead Mitchell Starc will be fit for the decisive fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India.

The hosts pulled off a stunning 184-run win deep into day five of the fourth Test in Melbourne and there is a quick turnaround before the match in Sydney from Friday.

Australia are 2-1 up in the series and will regain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2014-15 if they win or draw the New Year’s Test against India.

Victory would also guarantee them a place in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s against South Africa.

Mitchell Starc bowled 41 overs in Melbourne but clearly struggled in the latter stages, reportedly with sore ribs.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

McDonald said selectors would wait to see how he is before making any calls.

“We’ll see how the bodies are. Clearly, Starcy’s carrying something of some description. We’ll assess that,” he said. “But other than that it looks as though we got through.”

“But short turnaround, recovery is important and we’ll assess what the team looks like in Sydney based upon the surface, as we always do.”

Andrew McDonald said though it was a good indicator that Mitchell Starc kept bowling in Melbourne.

“It didn’t stop him. Clearly, there was a little bit of discomfort early on in spells but once he got warm, it seemed as though he was pretty free. Ball speeds are good.”

Jhye Richardson and Sean Abbott are the other fast bowlers in the squad, with skipper Pat Cummins and Scott Boland certain to play again.

READ: 2024 — a rollercoaster year for Pakistan cricket

Andrew McDonald handed new deal until 2027 as Australia head coach

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald will remain in his role until at least the end of 2027 after having his contract extended, cricket officials said on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old has been in charge since 2022 and masterminded the World Test Championship (WTC), the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 title, and an away victory over England to retain the Ashes.

Australia are ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings and two in ODI and T20 cricket, although they suffered an early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in June.

“Andrew [McDonald] has proven to be an outstanding men’s head coach who as well as delivering exceptional results has built a strong coaching team, methodology and an excellent environment for the team to perform at its best,” said Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“We are delighted to extend his tenure for a further two years.”

Former Test all-rounder, McDonald took on one of the most high-profile jobs in cricket initially on an interim basis following the shock resignation of Justin Langer.

“The professionalism, commitment and experience of my fellow coaches and the wider staff have ensured the journey has been extremely successful,” McDonald said Wednesday.

“But just as importantly (it has) created a culture of unity, trust and inclusivity.

“International cricket has many challenges for all teams and I am particularly proud how the group, players and staff, across all formats, have navigated those together.”

READ: Mohammad Rizwan tight-lipped on Fakhar Zaman’s snub

‘We’ll be taking good memories from Pakistan’ Andrew McDonald

LAHORE: Interim Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has stated that the touring squad would take many pleasant memories from their historic tour to Pakistan after 24 years.

McDonald, while talking to the media via virtual conference has claimed that the Pakistan tour was outstanding in all aspects and felt really happy to visit the country after a long gap.

“I felt very happy to come to Pakistan after a long time. Pakistan’s tour was amazing in all respects,” he said.

“We will always remember the way Pakistani fans welcomed us. We will be taking a lot of good and pleasant memories with us from this tour,” he added.

McDonald further expressed his joy on the touring side’s triumph in the historic Test series against Pakistan and claimed it was not easy to beat the green shirts in their home conditions.

“I am very happy about the win against Pakistan in the historic Test series. It wasn’t easy to defeat the Pakistan team in their own conditions,” he said.

The interim head coach further commented about the Pakistan team’s performance in the recently concluded ODI series, while also terming Babar Azam as a world-class batter.

“Pakistan played excellent cricket in the ODI series. Babar Azam is undoubtedly a world-class batsman,” he said.

McDonald then also commented on Australia’s white-ball captain Aaron Finch’s dismal performance and said that players go through such times.

“Aaron Finch is lacking the form currently but the players go through such times. I am working with Finch wherever he is having difficulty, and he is working for improvement,” he concluded.

READ: Australia crush England to lift their seventh ICC Women’s World Cup Title