Craig McDermott has resigned as Australia's pace bowling coach, citing the demands of upcoming cricket tours as a reason for his decision.
The former Australian quick bowler was named a year ago as the replacement for Troy Cooley, after beating off competition from the likes of Jason Gillespie, Andy Bichel and former South African speedster Allan Donald.
As a bowler, McDermott took 291 wickets for Australia in 71 Tests.
In a Cricket Australia release, the Queenslander said that it had been a very difficult decision to leave his position and said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" the job.
"However the team's schedule is a particularly busy one and after looking at the upcoming touring demands, I felt this to be the right decision from a personal and professional point of view,'' McDermott said.
"The progression of particular players and the improvement of depth in Australian bowling stocks has been the result of much hard work from both sides and is something I am particularly proud of."
Australia has a busy upcoming schedule, with an Australian one-day tour of the British Isles in June and July, a one-day series and one-off Twenty20 international against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in August, and the Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in September.
McDermott said he would continue to provide input to Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence in Brisbane but wanted to continue his coaching career in a role that allowed greater flexibility. He did not rule out being involved with the Australian team in the future.
He thanked Australian Test captain Michael Clarke and coach Mickey Arthur and wished them and the team well.
Arthur paid tribute to McDermott's contribution to Australian cricket.
"Craig has done an outstanding job since taking over the role and without doubt will be very difficult to replace," Arthur said.
"As the Australian public and cricket world has seen, Craig has taken our fast bowlers to another level and his skills and experience will be sorely missed around the group.
Arthur said the team understood and respected McDermott's decision and hoped he could be involved with the team at some point in the future.
Tags: sport, cricket, australia, qld, brisbane-4000 First posted May 11, 2012 14:08:04
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