Andrew McDonald has been confirmed as the Australian men's cricket team's next head coach on a four-year deal.
While plenty of speculation had been surrounding whether the role would be split into a red ball and white ball coach, it has been confirmed by Cricket Australia that McDonald will coach Australia's side in all three formats of the game.
The deal will run through until 2026.
McDonald takes over from Justin Langer, who finished his stint in charge of the team at the end of the recently completed Ashes series.
Langer had been reportedly offered a short-term extension until the end of the T20 World Cup on home soil this year but opted not to take it, with the side wanting to move in a new direction.
McDonald then took over the team immediately on an interim basis, coaching Australia in Pakistan where the men from down under took a 1-0 victory in a historic three-Test series on what was Australia's first visit to the nation since 1998.
The deal means McDonald's first assignment as full-time coach will be a trip to Sri Lanka, followed by a likely tour of India which also includes a scheduled neutral Test against Afghanistan, before returning home for a summer of cricket which includes the T20 World Cup and Tests against both the West Indies and South Africa, as well as a white ball series against England.
As part of his contract, McDonald will oversee the T20 World Cup in 2022 (hosted by Australia), 2024 (hosted by the West Indies and USA) and 2026 (hosted by India and Sri Lanka), and the one-day World Cup, hosted by India in 2023.
He will also take in the next World Test Championship cycle, as well as at least one home and away Ashes series as highlights of his time in charge over the next four years - although the future tours program beyond the end of 2023 is yet to be confirmed.
Both Test captain Pat Cummins and white ball captain Aaron Finch have endorsed the appointment, with the playing group thought to be involved in both the decision to oust Langer, and bring in McDonald.
McDonald said in a statement that he is honoured to be given the opportunity.
“The journey so far has been particularly pleasing, and I am honoured to be given this incredible opportunity for what is an exciting period ahead,” he said.
“The success of the World Cup, the Ashes Series and now Pakistan has been testament to the hard work and leadership of Justin, Pat and Aaron along with the players and the support staff."
