David Saker, the legendary Australian coach, has been brought back to reprise his role with the England side as their pace bowling coach after Tim Southee revealed that he would part ways following the conclusion of the Perth Test.
England will be advancing to feature against Australia in the Ashes this summer. The Ashes begin on the 21st of November with the first Test in Perth. With the second Test to begin on the 4th of December, bowling consultant Tim Southee will be unavailable due to franchise commitments.
He would be parting ways with England after the conclusion of the First Test to join his team in the ILT20 league, which is held in Abu Dhabi. England since then been on the quest for a bowling coach and has finally settled on an Australian.
Your daily dose of cricket!
David Saker reunites with England as “Specialist Skills Consultant”
Former England bowling coach David Saker has been appointed as the England fast bowling coach for the upcoming Ashes tour. The Australian will be reprising a role he held 15 years ago during England’s first away Ashes win in 2010-11, ending the wait since 1987.
However, until Southee departs, Saker and Southee will work together for the warm-up fixture against the Lions in Perth as well as the opening Test, before Saker takes charge of the entire bowling deck.
The rest of the English support staff remains intact under head coach Brendon McCullum, but Paul Collingwood, who has been absent due to personal reasons, is set to miss the Ashes tour as well. Saker was England’s fast bowling coach between 2010-15 and played a key role when England won the away Ashes. He was also called back for the victorious 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
England take a full-strength attack with hopes of winning the second away Ashes series since 1987
Though Saker’s appointment comes at the last hour, it is a continuation of England’s long-term plans to take a bunch of fiery fast bowlers to Australia in an effort to intimidate the Aussies on their home turf. England eyes a second Ashes series win since 1987 on Australian soil.
The recent trend set by England and adopted Worldwide features the appointment of coaches on a short-term basis who have provided insights on the specific conditions they are about to play in. Much like England hired Mike Hussey and Kieron Pollard for the World Cups in Australia and the West Indies.
England are gearing up for a complete pace attack, with their fastest seamers back in the deck. They will have the likes of Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts in the squad. Only Chris Woakes’ return remains under discussion.
England to continue with Mental Skills coach for the Perth Test
England further confirmed that Gilbert Enoka, the mental skills coach, will also work closely with the England team for the First Test at Perth. He attained widespread glory after coining the term “no d***heads policy.”
“He’s awesome,” white-ball captain Harry Brook said of Enoka. “He’s been around the Test side a little bit and he’s a great bloke. He brings a lot of knowledge to the mental side of the game which is a vital part of cricket and professional sport. To have him in the ranks, just to be able to pull for a chat for five or 10 minutes, is awesome.”
Enoka worked with the Test squad earlier this year and is currently with the England team on their tour to New Zealand.
ALSO READ: Australia Playing XI vs India- 1st ODI, India Tour of Australia 2025
