Griffith joins Australia's coaching ranks

Western Australia bowling coach Adam Griffith has been drafted in for Australia's upcoming tour of the West Indies.

Griffith, the former Tasmania quick who retired in 2011, will take on the role of bowling coach and will be joined in the Caribbean by former England player Graeme Hick, who will be an assistant coach.

Hick, who has worked at the Bupa National Cricket Centre in Brisbane for the past three years, and Griffith will work under WA head coach Justin Langer in the Caribbean for the ODI tri-series with the host nation and South Africa. It was announced late last year that Langer would lead the tour to allow regular head coach Darren Lehmann to enjoy a break.

Griffith's appointment comes after Craig McDermott stepped down from the role of bowling coach following the World T20.

"We are excited to have Adam join the team for the tour of the West Indies," Lehmann said in a statement.

"West Australia have some talented young fast-bowlers that have developed under Adam’s watch and it’s great to be able to offer him the chance to work with the Australian side under Justin Langer.

"It’s a credit to the standard of our state coaching system to be able to offer these opportunities to young coaches and I am sure both Adam and the players will benefit greatly from this experience."

The coaching staff for the tour of Sri Lanka in July and August is yet to be announced.

The promotion of Griffith and Hick comes after McDermott and batting coach Michael De Venuto announced their departures earlier this year.

Former Test batsman Greg Blewett stepped in to De Venuto's shoes as batting coach having held the title of fielding coach for the previous 18 months.

Former Australia quick Ryan Harris, a close ally of Lehmann during his playing days, last month put his hand up to take over from McDermott as bowling coach.

Quick Single: Harris would 'jump' at coaching role

Griffith has overseen the development of impressive WA quicks Nathan Coulter-Nile, Joel Paris and Andrew Tye - who have all represented Australia this year - as well as uncapped left-armer Jason Behrendorff in an extended period of success for the Warriors under Langer's leadership.

"The opportunity to work with Australia’s premium bowlers is incredibly exciting," the 38-year-old said.

"The West Indies and South Africa have some of the most destructive white ball batters in the world and preparing to play them in Caribbean conditions will be a great challenge."

The team will depart for the Caribbean at the end of May ahead of their opening match against the Proteas in Guyana on June 5.