Bowling coach 'not interested' in head coach position
Australia's fast-bowling coach Craig McDermott has dismissed a claim he has applied to become head coach of Sri Lanka, declaring his intent to help lead Australia back to the World No.1 Test ranking and ICC Cricket World Cup.
McDermott was one of 13 cricket coaching identities named as applicants for the Sri Lankan position vacated by Paul Farbrace, who took an assistant coaching role with England under Peter Moores in April.
"I can categorically say that I have not applied nor am I interested in pursuing the Sri Lankan head coach position," said McDermott.
"I’ve recently re-signed with Cricket Australia and am very happy with the role I’m doing here in Australia."
McDermott, who took 291 wickets in 71 Tests, signed a two-year contract extension with CA as an assistant coach in May, with a promise he would be given more responsibility to broaden his experience.
Marvan Atapattu, who played 90 Tests for Sri Lanka, has been Sri Lanka's interim head coach since Farbrace returned to England in April. Under his stewardship, Sri Lanka won a two-Test series in England 1-0 but lost a two-Test series at home to South Africa 1-0.
Sri Lanka currently lead Pakistan 1-0 in an ongoing two-Test series.
ESPNCricinfo published a list of 13 applicants for the Sri Lanka coaching vacancy, which prompted some of those named to issue strong denials, the latest of which is McDermott.
South Africans Eric Simmons and Paddy Upton both refuted the report. Upton recently accepted a role as head coach of the Sydney Thunder for the forthcoming summer's KFC T20 Big Bash League.
"I was approached for the post, and declined immediately," Upton told South Africa's SuperSport.com. "I am quite happy for people to know that I am not in the running."
CA's Executive General Manager Team Performance Pat Howard said he was "keen for Craig to continue to grow and develop as a coach" after McDermott renewed his coaching contract.
"Craig will also do a bit more work with the limited-overs players, along with Ali de Winter, as we head towards the World Cup early next year," Howard said in May.
"As part of his role he will be closely connected to the work being done at the National Cricket Centre to ensure he is aligned to also developing players for the future."
McDermott has most recently been working with the Australia A bowlers during their series against South Africa A in Townsville.
Former Australia coach Mickey Arthur was among those touted as applicants for the Sri Lanka vacancy, as was Melbourne Renegades coach Simon Helmot.
CA
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