Australia head coach Justin Langer has opened up about David Saker’s sudden resignation as team’s assistant coach, saying that there are “numerous reasons” behind the departure and he isn’t surprised by it.  

On Thursday (February 7), Saker quits as Australia's assistant coach just months out from the World Cup and an Ashes tour to England "for the best interests of the team".

“He and I have had a lot of conversations over the last six or nine months, so it’s not really a surprise, to be honest. In the perfect world it would have been cleaner at the end of it, but the world’s not always clean and works exactly as you want it to work. I’m all good with it. We shook hands and had a hug the day after the Test match and just realised,” Langer quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“He’s got a young family, he’s been on this circuit now for some time. And we just realised it was the right time for him to step away. We’re starting to realise it’s very hectic and he probably recognised that. It was just the right time with the World Cup and the Ashes, you’ve got to have your heart 100 per cent in it. And if it’s not, it’s too hard a business,” he added.

Cricket Australia said Troy Cooley will supervise the bowling group for Australia's upcoming ODI series against India and Pakistan, with discussions about the coaching structure for the World Cup and Ashes ongoing.

“We’ll look at this for the World Cup and the Ashes and beyond. It’s quite exciting. We’ve got to get the right person; whether that’s a selector or a coach or whoever comes into the team, we just have to work out who the right people are,” Langer remarked.

Saker’s exit means Australia will have to fill up three high profile roles in 2019; Pat Howard’s full-time replacement as Head of Team Performance is yet to be confirmed, while selector Greg Chappell is set to depart after the Ashes in September.

“Everyone’s got a view, but you’ve got to put your hand up and get in the hot seat. I’m looking forward to seeing who applies for that position. There’s no better cricketing company in the world than Greg Chappell. We’ll miss those conversations. He’s very wise when it comes to the game of cricket. Who that replacement is, whether they’re young or old … we have to get the right person,” Langer said.