ECB extends contract with David Saker for another three years
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have extended their contract with national bowling coach David Saker for another three years.
The extension in the contract was announced by the ECB on Friday, 7 January 2011 when England fast bowlers played a key part in scripting the first Ashes series win down under after 24 years.
The 44-year-old Saker, who had replaced Ottis Gibson as the fast bowling coach of England cricket team, will now continue coaching English pacers until at least 2013.
Saker, who joined the England team on 8 April 2010, started his career with the side in an emphatic style taking them to World Twenty20 title in Caribbean in May 2010. It was England’s first-ever major title in the history of international cricket.
The former pacer of Victoria has a vast experience of playing in Australia and his knowledge of Australian conditions played a key role in England’s Ashes win.
Andy Flower, director of England cricket team, praised Saker’s efforts with the bowlers to help them control the Kookaburra ball as the side retained the Ashes with an innings win in Melbourne.
"David has been instrumental in their development,” said Flower. "I haven't seen many men come into a group where they didn't know anyone and integrate as well as David has - and that's testament to his character."
Saker praised the English talent.
"The depth of bowling talent currently throughout the England ranks is something that excites me and I'm really looking forward to building on the progress we've made," said Saker.
Another Australian, Troy Cooley was the bowling coach of England when they won the Ashes for the first time in 16 years in their own backyard in 2005. But soon after the conclusion of that series, Cooley was enticed back by Cricket http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 to join their
set-up and has been working with the Aussies since then.
It was speculated that CA might seek to persuade the former Victoria assistant coach as well to return home like Cooley but David’s decision to continue his role as bowling coach for the next three years was quite delightful for the managing director of
England team, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Hugh-Morris-c63550. “We are delighted David has agreed to continue in the role for at least another three years,” said Morris.
The former pacer helped the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils in the first two seasons of the Indian Premier League and was promoted to the role of
franchise’s head coach during the 2009 Champions League.
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