FORMER AUSTRALIA PACEMAN Craig McDermott has joined the Ireland set-up as the new bowling coach and consultant, representing a massive coup for Cricket Ireland.
McDermott only left a similar role with Australia in May and will now join the Irish squad at a pre-World Twenty20 training camp in Sri Lanka.
The 47-year-old’s decision to quit as fast bowling coach in the Australian set-up was greeted with surprise, given the positive effect he had had in nurturing young talent in the Southern Hemisphere.
McDermott – his country fifth-highest Test wicket taker after claiming 291 scalps in 71 appearances – will now be on the opposite side of the fence after the Irish were drawn against Australia in the WorldTwenty20, beginning on September 18th.
“I am looking forward to working with (coach) Phil (Simmons) and his team at the World T20 in Sri Lanka,” he said.
“Ireland has done well in the past World Cups and I am sure they will do again at this one.
“They have a well balanced squad and I am looking forward to getting stuck into preparing them for the World T20 in our training camp in Colombo.
“I see this as another opportunity for me to work with another international team and to further my coaching career.”
“Craig’s enthusiasm, experience and knowledge will add further strength to our coach support staff and we thank the ICC high-performance programme for their financial support towards achieving this,” said Cricket Ireland performance director David Holdsworth.
“Having recently been bowling coach to the Australian team, his insights into their players will help the team prepare for our match against them on 19th September.”
