With Australia and England both hunting for new head coaches, Andrew McDonald says there's an opportunity for a big-picture look at how nations deal with coaching roles
'Greater conversation' needed over coach role: McDonald
Wary of Australia's packed international schedule over the coming years, Andrew McDonald wants clarity on the responsibilities for the next men's team head coach before applying for the job.
The post-Justin Langer era started successfully on Friday evening as the Aussies accounted for Sri Lanka by 20 runs in the Dettol T20I series opener at the SCG.
It marked the first of what could be nearly two dozen international T20 matches between last year's T20 World Cup and the ensuing edition later this year where they will defend their crown on home soil.
Test tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also on the agenda before the next home summer while windows for a host of series put off during the pandemic will also need to be found.
Matches against Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan have all been 'postponed' (deferred without being rescheduled) since the beginning of the pandemic.
McDonald would be a popular pick to succeed Langer among Australia's leading players. Captains Pat Cummins and Aaron Finch have both praised his calm approach this week while Kane Richardson labelled him a "next-gen coach".
But with England also in the market for a new coach following Chris Silverwood's departure in the wake of their disastrous Ashes tour, McDonald believes both countries must decide what they want from their next head coaches.
"(Applying for the Australia job) is something I haven't really considered," McDonald told reporters on Saturday. "It happened really, really quickly with JL and the process there. No thoughts given to it at this stage.
"I think the greater conversation around that at this stage is clearly Australia and England have jobs open, but it's what they're looking for.
"Split roles have been mentioned (to manage) all three formats. There's a lot to work through. I'll wait to see how that process unfolds and see what happens there.
"You've got to see what they're looking for in the job and then (consider) whether it's the right fit for you.
"It's not just as simple as saying , 'There's a job there, would you like to do it, yes or no?' I think it's a great opportunity for a greater cricket conversation that two of the bigger cricket nations are embarking upon. I'm fascinated to see where that lands."
Even before Langer confirmed his resignation in an acrimonious exit earlier this month, McDonald was always going to stand in as coach for the Sri Lanka T20 series given Langer's workload over recent months.
McDonald, who praised Langer's work ethic and attention to detail in his four years in the job, will now also lead the Test team on an interim basis in Pakistan. He suggested little will change under his leadership.
"There will be an element of continuing to run the team in a similar fashion to what we have," said the four-Test former allrounder.
Cricket Australia has not indicated a desire to split the head coaching job into Test and white-ball roles but chief executive Nick Hockley has flagged a "project-focused approach" to upcoming series.
Langer had an enormous appetite to lead the Australian team across all three formats but McDonald suggested that may not be sustainable for his successor.
"The FTP (ICC's Future Tours Program) over the next 12, 18, 24 months is not getting any lighter, there's a conversation to be had there," said the 40-year-old.
"It's not just a single answer to yes, this is the best way to do it, or no it's not. It's been tried before.
"We saw Andy Flower and Ashley Giles do a split role (for England) – whether that was the right time for it, the game's changed a hell of a lot since then.
"If they get the right people around the table expect they'd be able to solve it.
"Two countries are embarking on it, we'll see where both end up."
Dettol T20 Series v Sri Lanka 2022
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head*, Moises Henriques, Josh Inglis, Ben McDermott, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Daniel Sams, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa * unavailable for first three matches
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Kamil Mishara, Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Shiran Fernando
Australia won by 20 runs (DLS)
February 13: Second T20, SCG, 7.10pm AEDT
February 15: Third T20, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
February 18: Fourth T20, MCG, 5.10pm AEDT
February 20: Fifth T20, MCG, 7.10pm AEDT
All matches broadcast exclusively on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports. Radio coverage by ABC Grandstand