Bowling coach David Saker, Cricket Australia part ways

The exodus from national team set-up continues with David Saker resigning with immediate effect, leaving Australia without a bowling coach leading into this year's World Cup and Ashes campaigns.

The news comes a week after it was confirmed selector and national talent manager Greg Chappell would retire after the Ashes.

Saker joined the national team's coaching staff in 2016 under then coach Darren Lehmann and leaves after Justin Langer's first home summer at the helm.

“David and I have had ongoing discussions over the past nine months about his role with the team, and we agreed it’s the right time to head in a different direction in the best interests of the team," Langer said.

“I’d like to thank David for his significant contribution, in particular in the role he has played in helping develop a core group of Australian pace bowlers.

"I wish David all the best for the next chapter in his coaching career."

David Saker is no longer Australia's bowling coach.Credit: PA

Troy Cooley will take over the role for the limited-overs tours of India and Pakistan but no announcement has been made on who will fill the role for the World Cup and the Ashes.

“In discussions with David about the needs of the team, and the unprecedented schedule ahead, it became clear to both of us that this was the right time for David to step away,” interim head of high performance Belinda Clark said.

“We will provide further information on the coaching structure surrounding the World Cup and Ashes in due course.

“Troy Cooley has been appointed assistant coach for the upcoming ODI series against India and Pakistan to oversee the coaching of the bowling group.

"Troy is a well-respected coach with great experience having previously worked with the English and Australian men’s teams.”

Saker quit as Victoria coach to take up the role with the national team.

"I'd like to thank Cricket Australia for the opportunity to help coach the Australian men's team over the past three seasons," Saker said.

"I've enjoyed my time with the team, in particular working closely with a great group of fast bowlers and in time will look forward to a new coaching role."

Though the Australian attack finished on a high, it was not a happy Test summer for Saker's bowlers, with the quicks coming under fire for their performance.

Former Test great Shane Warne led the criticism of senior quicks Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who both struggled during the India series.

Starc, however, bounced back in Canberra, claiming 10 wickets in a player of the match performance, but did not praise Saker, instead publicly thanking a coach outside the CA set-up for his improvement.

"Before the Sri Lanka series, I had a really nice session with Andre Adams who is at NSW," Starc said.

"And talking to a few people quite close to me who I have worked with over recent years and putting the rest of the coaching and the other 450 coaches I've had over the past three weeks to the side, and going back to know what I know best. I am my own best coach and I know what's best for me."

Saker was publicly critical of Australia's approach during the Sydney Test, in which India declared on 622 in the first innings, saying there was "confusion" between the fast bowlers and captain Tim Paine on the first day.

Saker revealed he had given the bowlers a stern talking to at the end of the day's play.

"Last night we talked quite heavily about the day, more because we thought it was a really disappointing day and we just wanted to get our point across," he said.

"Some of it was quite aggressive and that's not like me usually.

"I was quite animated, and I know I was not the only one. JL [Langer] wasn't happy. The bowlers know that."