Former Ashes Winning Coach Set to Join England Squad for Ashes 2023
Saker set to join England squad [Twitter]
Former Australian coach, David Saker, is set to assume the role of England's fast bowling coach during the upcoming red-ball summer, with a particular focus on the Ashes. This position mirrors the one he held during England's successful Ashes campaigns in 2010-11 and 2013. Notaby, Saker has previously served as a consultant on England's coaching staff when they won the T20 World Cup.
The seasoned coach was initially approached by England captain Ben Stokes during last year's T20 World Cup and has since agreed to a short-term deal. Saker, who is currently with the white-ball team in Bangladesh, stated that he anticipates little involvement with England's Test cricket, but is delighted to work with the team during the Ashes.
"I don't think I'll do much Test cricket, but I'm doing the Ashes," Saker told reporters in Dhaka.
The 56-year-old claims that the magnitude of the occasion made the decision an easy one, and he accepted the offer straight away. He has previously been involved in the Ashes with both England and Australia, and he regards the competition as the most significant Test event.
“Once Stokesy pushed it, it made it an easy decision. I said yes straight away because of the magnitude of the occasion. I've been involved in Ashes with both parties and the cricket is as exciting as it gets. It's the biggest Test event,” he added.
Saker served as England's fast bowling coach from 2010 to 2015, a period during which the team won the Ashes in Australia, defended it at home, and won a series in India. Being an indigenous Australian, he also then fulfilled the identical position for his native country from 2016 to 2019.
Regarding his return to working with England, the former first-class cricketer expressed excitement at the prospect of coaching the team's current fast bowling unit, which he regards as the best in the world at the moment.
According to the Aussie veteran, having a good battery of fast bowlers is necessary for winning the Ashes and other significant series. He noted that the same could be said of the Australian team, but playing on home turf always gives the bowling group an advantage.