Andrew McDonald, the former Australian all-rounder, has been signed up as head coach by the Birmingham-based team - Birmingham Phoenix for England’s controversial new short-form tournament – The Hundred on Friday, 19th July.
With the latest development, McDonald became the second Aussie to be confirmed as a coach in the new competition after Simon Katich who will take charge of the Manchester team in the event.
As per AFP, McDonald said on his appointment, “The Hundred is a tournament that’s generating interest across the globe and the opportunity to be part of it as head coach of the Birmingham team is something that I'm relishing.”
The 38-year-old will be assisted by former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori in the five-week 100-ball tournament – which will get underway in July 2020, featuring eight city-based teams from Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and two in London.
McDonald has now become a household name in Australian domestic coaching having led Melbourne Renegades to their first title in the Big Bash League, as well as, clinched the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup for Victoria – which forced his signing for the English event.
Noteworthy, it was the scheme of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to attract a new audience to the game of cricket through this cricketing event, but they faced huge public criticism for introducing the 100-balls-per-side competition majorly by existing fans.
(With AFP Inputs)
